Alimony Attorney in Denham Springs, Louisiana

In 2019 there were 2.4 divorces for every 1,000 people in Louisiana, according to the CDC/NCHS National Vital Statistics System. For individuals going through a divorce, the end of their marriage means that they are left without a way to pay their bills or meet their basic needs as they adjust to living on one income or no income at all.

Divorce can lead to these serious financial problems, but it doesn’t have to. At the Law Office of Ivy L. Graham, we offer compassionate, goal-oriented advocacy as you seek spousal support either inside or outside the courtroom. Our team is proud to serve clients in Denham Springs, Louisiana and the surrounding areas in all of their family law needs.

Overview of Alimony in Louisiana

If a marriage ends, the spouse who made less, or did not make an income, must adjust to living on one income, or must find a job. To help lessen their burden, the court can order alimony, also known as spousal support, to help with finances during this difficult time.

Types of Alimony

In Louisiana, there are three types of alimony: interim, periodic, and permanent.

Interim Support

When the court grants interim support, it requires that the higher-earning spouse provide alimony for the lower-earning spouse during the divorce process.

Once the divorce is finalized, the interim support award ends. However, in some circumstances, a judge may extend interim support for six months after the divorce.

Periodic Support

In a periodic support arrangement, the spouse who was the lower-earner during the marriage receives alimony for a set time period.

During this time, the spouse will pursue education or job training that allows them to secure a job or career. The job or career will allow them to continue living at the same standard of living that they had during the marriage.

Permanent Support

As its name implies, permanent spousal support lasts for an indefinite time. It is typically awarded to older individuals or those who suffer from a disability that prevents them from working. Permanent spousal support is the rarest type of alimony.

Who Is Entitled to Spousal Support?

You are entitled to spousal support if you can prove both that you need the spousal assistance and that the other spouse can pay it.

However, if the spouse who is requesting alimony was at fault for the divorce (for example, if they committed adultery or a felony during the marriage), then the court can rule that they are not allowed to receive alimony, or only a limited amount.

Determination of Possible Type & Duration

When determining the type of alimony that a spouse may receive, and how long they will receive it, the court looks at several different factors.

Factors Considered

The court considers factors regarding health, earning ability, and the marriage itself when determining the spousal support agreement.

Financial factors considered include:

• each spouse’s income and other financial means

• each spouse’s financial obligations

• potential child support payments

• each spouse’s earning potential

• potential tax implications

• how long it would take the lower-earning spouse to receive training for and find a job that would support them

Other factors considered include:

• each spouse’s health

• each spouse’s age

• each spouse’s parental duties

• the length of the marriage

• if there was a history of domestic abuse

When Alimony Ends

Interim and periodic alimony end at a set point in time that the court determines. Permanent alimony only ends when the lower-earning spouse remarries or when either spouse passes away.

Changes to a Current Alimony Agreement

It’s possible to make changes to an alimony agreement, but only if there have been significant changes to either spouse’s circumstances, such as the loss of a job. The court can either increase, decrease, or end the alimony payments. It’s important to reach out to an attorney to learn more about your unique situation.