When a divorce dissolves a marriage, both spouses finances can be affected drastically. Wisconsin family law considers the standard of living of the lower income or non-working spouse, acknowledging marriages as partnerships. Even though one party may not have worked at a wage paying job, he or she is presumed to have contributed equally to the marriage in other ways. These other ways can be contributions such as child rearing, managing a household, furthering the other spouse's career, or providing physical or emotional support.
A party is not automatically entitled to maintenance. The party asking for maintenance must have a need for it and the other party must have the ability to pay. The requesting party should have made some contribution to the marriage. If these criteria exist, then the court will look at a number of factors to determine not only the amount of spousal support maintenance to be paid but also for how long it is to be paid.
Alimony & spousal support factors considered by the court are:
At John T. Fields and Associates, we firmly believe that a party should not be left destitute as the result of a divorce. Our Milwaukee divorce attorneys make sure that our divorce clients are in the best possible financial situation to start their new lives. Our Wisconsin family law firm helps our clients in Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, and throughout southeastern Wisconsin plan not just for the divorce but for the future.
For more information about divorce and alimony or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Milwaukee divorce lawyer regarding a spousal maintenance dispute, please contact our Wisconsin alimony attorneys.