Is alimony still available in Pennsylvania?

Some people wrongly believe that predivorce spousal support, as well as post-divorce alimony, is no longer available. In fact, the current Pennsylvania Support Guidelines allow for both temporary alimony pendente lite and post-divorce spousal support payments. Both husbands and wives, in heterosexual or same-sex marriage, may seek support from the more financially stable spouse. Alimony pendente lite and long-term spousal support payments aren’t guaranteed. They are determined based on factors that include the length of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, and their ability to support themselves.

Can you ask for spousal support without a lawyer?

Legally, you can ask for alimony or spousal support payments without being represented by an attorney. However, it’s often in your best interests to retain a knowledgeable legal professional who can determine what you might be entitled to under Pennsylvania court guidelines and work to support an agreement that meets your needs. If your spouse does not agree to pay you alimony and the case goes to court, you will need to present the strongest possible arguments for receiving the support payments you deserve. Having an attorney assist you in presenting your case in court is valuable.

What are the factors used to determine alimony payments in Pennsylvania?

PA courts consider numerous factors in deciding whether, in what capacity, and in what amount to order spousal maintenance payments. The primary factors to consider are each spouse’s income and earning potential, each spouse’s financial situation (including inheritances, other income, and other benefits), the standard of living during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, and each spouse’s age and health. Even in no-fault divorces, marital misconduct such as infidelity, abandonment, or abusive treatment can impact whether spousal support is awarded and the amount of alimony the dependent spouse receives.

How long do you have to support your spouse after divorce?

There’s no one timeframe that applies to all spousal support orders or agreements in Pennsylvania. In some cases, an agreement or court order specifies an end date for post-divorce maintenance payments or an event upon the occurrence of which the payments will end. Permanent alimony payments may be awarded in certain instances, such as when a spouse is unlikely to ever become self-supporting due to health issues that prevent them from working. Additionally, spousal support obligations in Pennsylvania are generally terminated upon the death of either spouse or the remarriage or cohabitation of the dependent spouse with a new partner. Courts may or may not be able to modify spousal support payments after the divorce is finalized, depending on whether the determination was made via court order or settlement agreement and the terms of the decision. That’s one reason it’s so important to work with an experienced attorney to ensure spousal support agreements or orders are as fair and reasonable as possible during divorce proceedings. Additionally, spousal support obligations in Pennsylvania are generally terminated upon the death of either spouse or the remarriage or cohabitation of the dependent spouse with a new partner. Courts may or may not be able to modify spousal support payments after the divorce is finalized, depending on whether the determination was made via court order or settlement agreement and the terms of the decision. That’s one reason it’s so important to work with an experienced attorney to ensure spousal support agreements or orders are as fair and reasonable as possible during divorce proceedings.

What if your spouse is seeking unreasonable alimony payments in a divorce?

If you believe that your spouse’s demand for support is inappropriate given the circumstances or that the amount of money they are seeking is unfair or unreasonable, you need an attorney to protect your interests. We can help you understand what rights and responsibilities you have toward your spouse during and after divorce and present a compelling case in your favor for denying or reducing alimony. Through mediation or collaborative law processes, we can work to resolve these disputes out of court, but we’re also ready to fight zealously in court for you if necessary.

Montgomery County Spousal Support Lawyer | Alimony Attorney in Rockledge, PA

Blessing Law/

Montgomery County Spousal Support Lawyer

Alimony Attorney in Rockledge, PA Ensuring Fair Maintenance Awards in Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Throughout The Philadelphia Area

When a marriage dissolves, moving forward means separating finances as well as other aspects of your life. Beyond splitting up marital property and making arrangements for the custody and support of any children involved, a common area of concern is spousal support. If one spouse’s contributions to the marriage—such as staying home or taking a step back from their career to raise children—put their independent earning potential at a disadvantage, Pennsylvania courts are likely to award that party spousal support. Having a Montgomery County spousal support lawyer can help you achieve a fair outcome to disputes over alimony payment requirements.

At Blessing Law, our firm has a reputation for using low-conflict means of resolution to successfully settle disputes over spousal maintenance and other major decisions in a divorce. We believe mediation, collaborative law, and other means of alternative dispute resolution allow divorcing spouses to untangle their lives and begin building a foundation for their separate futures with dignity.

Contact us today to find out how an experienced alimony attorney in Rockledge, PA, can help you reach resolutions and move your divorce forward efficiently.

Factors Considered in Awarding Spousal Support in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania courts consider numerous factors in determining whether, how, and under what terms to award alimony. Whether this matter goes to the court to decide or is settled through out-of-court negotiations, you should expect factors like the following to be considered:

Each spouse’s income
Each spouse’s earning capacity, including educational background and occupational prospects
Any inheritances each spouse has received
Each spouse’s pre-marital assets
Any other income or benefits available to each spouse, including investments, rental properties, and pensions
Each spouse’s age and physical and mental health
The standard of living for both spouses during the marriage
The length of the marriage
Any instances of abuse or marital misconduct, including adultery, abandonment, or cruel treatment
How any valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreements apply

Either the court or the divorcing spouses themselves, with the assistance of their attorneys, a mediator, and other professionals, can determine based on these factors:

Whether to award spousal maintenance payments to the less stable of the divorcing spouses
How much the paying spouse should be required to pay in alimony
The duration or conditions of payments

In some instances, the court or the divorcing spouses themselves may come to the conclusion that alimony is not necessary or appropriate given the circumstances. In other cases, spousal support may be awarded subject to a specific end date, until a specified event, or on a permanent basis.

Alimony Pendente Lite

During the time the divorce proceedings are underway and the divorce has not yet been finalized, temporary support known as alimony pendente light may be awarded.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Often, the goal of post-divorce alimony is to provide necessary support to the less financially stable spouse until they are able to receive education or training and become self-sufficient.

Permanent Alimony

Indefinite alimony, also known as permanent alimony, is generally awarded in instances in which the less stable spouse is unlikely to ever be self-supporting, often due to a health condition.

Equitable Reimbursement Payments

In addition to spousal maintenance payments, equitable reimbursement may be awarded in Pennsylvania. These payments recognize one spouse’s support during another’s education or training, compensating that spouse for their contributions that resulted in the other’s improved earning capacity.

Types of Spousal Support Issues an Alimony Attorney in Rockledge, PA, Can Assist With

At Blessing Law, we are well-positioned to advocate for clients who are facing spousal support disputes by:

Ensuring that you, as the payer or recipient of alimony, understand your legal rights and responsibilities and the terms of any settlement agreement or court order
Securing temporary support through alimony pendente lite, if appropriate, while your divorce is pending
Negotiating post-divorce spousal maintenance payments to provide financial support permanently, for a fixed timeframe, or until certain events occur or conditions are met
Ensuring spousal support demands on the paying spouse are reasonable and align with Pennsylvania’s standards and guidelines to prevent one spouse from being taken advantage of

Our founding attorney, Maribeth Blessing, has significant professional and personal experience that strengthens the firm’s ability to provide strong advocacy for clients seeking alimony payments or working to avoid being saddled with unreasonable demands for support.

Resolving Spousal Support Disputes Through Mediation or Collaborative Law

Spousal support and alimony are often the subject of litigation during divorces. Heated, emotional arguments and contentious courtroom showdowns aren’t your only options for resolving these disputes. At Blessing Law, our attorneys urge clients to consider an alternative approach to resolving alimony issues.

Our team has extensive training and experience resolving issues involving spousal support and other divorce matters through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes, including:

Each of these methods uses different tools and strategies to achieve resolutions out of court. Avoiding litigation through these processes offers numerous benefits. Resolving disputes over spousal support payments, as well as other decisions involved in a divorce, is typically faster and more cost-effective. These methods of resolving divorce disputes focus on solving problems rather than fighting, with low-conflict approaches that can make the entire ordeal less stressful and less emotionally draining.

How Blessing Law Can Help

The attorneys at Blessing Law provide comprehensive guidance for families going through the difficult transitions of divorce. We’re equipped to tackle the full array of disputes and decisions that must be resolved before finalizing the dissolution of a marriage, including spousal support and much more.

Representation for Spouses Seeking Maintenance Payments

Our attorneys recognize that you’ve made contributions to your marriage and your family that, often, encompassed significant sacrifices. We’re prepared to seek appropriate spousal support that meets your needs and preserves your standard of living to the greatest extent possible, as well as reflecting all that you’ve done throughout the duration of your marriage.

Guidance for Spouses on the Hook for Paying Alimony

The dependent spouse is not the only party who can benefit from having a Montgomery County spousal support lawyer protecting their rights during divorce proceedings. You, understandably, don’t want to be stuck with the long-term obligation of paying your former spouse an unreasonable amount of alimony—or paying support at all in situations in which doing so seems unfair.

We will draw on our extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania law and local court procedures to help you understand what is and isn’t reasonable. Turn to our firm to represent your interests in out-of-court methods of dispute resolution or, if necessary, in court proceedings.

Why Choose Blessing Law as Your Montgomery County Spousal Support Lawyer?

Choosing Blessing Law as your Montgomery County spousal support lawyer means gaining a legal advocate and collaborator who will help you resolve complex divorce issues with as little conflict and cost as possible. We’re prepared for whatever path best fits your unique situation, and we’re determined to secure an outcome to spousal support disputes that allows you to begin the next chapter of your life on the best possible footing.

Extensive Knowledge of Complicated Family Law Situations

Even in relatively straightforward divorce cases, resolving matters of spousal support can be challenging. If your circumstances involve additional complications, such as same-sex marriage dissolution or military divorce, you may face an even more difficult situation.

Our legal team understands the nuances of spousal support disputes in Pennsylvania and the specific complexities involved in these and other multifaceted circumstances. We use this critical knowledge to protect our clients’ rights and pursue an outcome that fits their needs and priorities.

A Dual Focus on Keeping Divorce Costs Manageable While Securing Satisfactory Outcomes

No one benefits from expensive, drawn-out divorces that leave both parties financially and emotionally drained. Our team is committed to providing cost-effective legal services and pursuing resolution through economical methods such as medication, collaborative divorce, and other alternative dispute resolution strategies.

Not only do these methods keep costs manageable, but securing peaceful, cooperative resolutions out of court is less stressful for all parties involved compared to adversarial (and expensive) courtroom battles.

The Guidance You Need to Create a Foundation for Life After Divorce

When going through the process of a painful divorce, it’s more important and productive to focus on setting the stage for the future rather than rehashing the past. Throughout your case, we’re committed to resolving disputes over spousal support, asset division, and other critical matters with your next chapter in mind.

Whether you need help securing an agreement or court order for support that fairly secures your future or protecting yourself from being taken advantage of, potentially for years, by a former spouse through unfair alimony demands, we’re committed to finding a solution that puts you on the strongest possible financial footing as you move forward with life after divorce.

Contact a Montgomery County Spousal Support Lawyer at Blessing Law Today for an Initial Consultation

When you’re concerned about protecting your future financially in the event of a divorce, you need to consider how paying or receiving spousal support will impact you. The guidance of a skilled attorney is critical for helping you determine what’s fair and reasonable under Pennsylvania law and avoid being taken advantage of by your former spouse.

Our firm makes it easy to retain trusted legal counsel to protect your rights. We offer free 10-minute conversations to answer basic questions and, for a very reasonable fee, a two-hour consultation in which we can discuss the specifics of your situation and advise you on protecting your financial interests as you go through a divorce.

For help from an alimony attorney in Rockledge, PA, contact Blessing Law online or call 215-608-6236 today.

Some people wrongly believe that predivorce spousal support, as well as post-divorce alimony, is no longer available. In fact, the current Pennsylvania Support Guidelines allow for both temporary alimony pendente lite and post-divorce spousal support payments. Both husbands and wives, in heterosexual or same-sex marriage, may seek support from the more financially stable spouse.
Alimony pendente lite and long-term spousal support payments aren’t guaranteed. They are determined based on factors that include the length of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, and their ability to support themselves.
Legally, you can ask for alimony or spousal support payments without being represented by an attorney. However, it’s often in your best interests to retain a knowledgeable legal professional who can determine what you might be entitled to under Pennsylvania court guidelines and work to support an agreement that meets your needs.
If your spouse does not agree to pay you alimony and the case goes to court, you will need to present the strongest possible arguments for receiving the support payments you deserve. Having an attorney assist you in presenting your case in court is valuable.
PA courts consider numerous factors in deciding whether, in what capacity, and in what amount to order spousal maintenance payments. The primary factors to consider are each spouse’s income and earning potential, each spouse’s financial situation (including inheritances, other income, and other benefits), the standard of living during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, and each spouse’s age and health.
Even in no-fault divorces, marital misconduct such as infidelity, abandonment, or abusive treatment can impact whether spousal support is awarded and the amount of alimony the dependent spouse receives.
There’s no one timeframe that applies to all spousal support orders or agreements in Pennsylvania. In some cases, an agreement or court order specifies an end date for post-divorce maintenance payments or an event upon the occurrence of which the payments will end. Permanent alimony payments may be awarded in certain instances, such as when a spouse is unlikely to ever become self-supporting due to health issues that prevent them from working.
Additionally, spousal support obligations in Pennsylvania are generally terminated upon the death of either spouse or the remarriage or cohabitation of the dependent spouse with a new partner.
Courts may or may not be able to modify spousal support payments after the divorce is finalized, depending on whether the determination was made via court order or settlement agreement and the terms of the decision. That’s one reason it’s so important to work with an experienced attorney to ensure spousal support agreements or orders are as fair and reasonable as possible during divorce proceedings.

There’s no one timeframe that applies to all spousal support orders or agreements in Pennsylvania. In some cases, an agreement or court order specifies an end date for post-divorce maintenance payments or an event upon the occurrence of which the payments will end. Permanent alimony payments may be awarded in certain instances, such as when a spouse is unlikely to ever become self-supporting due to health issues that prevent them from working.
Additionally, spousal support obligations in Pennsylvania are generally terminated upon the death of either spouse or the remarriage or cohabitation of the dependent spouse with a new partner.
Courts may or may not be able to modify spousal support payments after the divorce is finalized, depending on whether the determination was made via court order or settlement agreement and the terms of the decision. That’s one reason it’s so important to work with an experienced attorney to ensure spousal support agreements or orders are as fair and reasonable as possible during divorce proceedings.
If you believe that your spouse’s demand for support is inappropriate given the circumstances or that the amount of money they are seeking is unfair or unreasonable, you need an attorney to protect your interests. We can help you understand what rights and responsibilities you have toward your spouse during and after divorce and present a compelling case in your favor for denying or reducing alimony. Through mediation or collaborative law processes, we can work to resolve these disputes out of court, but we’re also ready to fight zealously in court for you if necessary.