If you are going through a divorce, one of the things you need to do right away is to review your budget. Separating into two different homes is going to create a different financial situation for you. You may find that you don’t have enough financial support to cover the necessities or to support living in an arrangement similar to what you’re in now.
Fortunately, alimony is available for some spouses when they need extra financial support. Alimony may be temporary or permanent, depending on the circumstances.
What kinds of alimony are there in Connecticut?
Some types of alimony that are available in Connecticut include:
- Periodic alimony
- Alimony pendente lite
- Permanent alimony
- Lump-sum alimony
- Rehabilitative alimony
Each one of these has its own benefits. For example, alimony pendente lite is used when a spouse needs support before there has been a determination on if that spouse is entitled to permanent alimony. Lump-sum alimony is a single payment made to the recipient for the full amount of alimony owed.
Periodic alimony is made at scheduled intervals, while permanent alimony continues for the rest of both parties’ lives (with exceptions).
Some of the factors used when determining alimony in Connecticut include:
- Whether one spouse is capable of paying alimony to the other
- The spouse in need’s ability to find work
- Health conditions
- Age
- Occupation
- The duration of the marriage
- Vocational skills
- Employability
Since every case is different, it’s difficult to come up with an amount of alimony that could be guaranteed to a person who goes to trial for their divorce. For most couples, deciding on a fair amount of alimony outside court is beneficial, because it allows them to work together to find a reasonable solution.
What happens if you can’t decide how much alimony you need or should receive?
If you cannot agree on the amount of alimony that should be exchanged, then you can go before a judge. If you do that, you need to present your argument for why you need this support and give the court any other details that could help a judge decide on how much alimony, if any, is fair. Judges have broad discretion in alimony cases, so it’s a good idea to have your attorney there to help.
