In our last post, we began speaking about how judges in Arizona go about making determinations of spousal support. Again, the first thing judges need to determine is whether there is any entitlement to spousal support, and then how much the entitled party should receive over how much time.
As we noted in an October post, there are several types of alimony courts in Arizona may award depending on the circumstances. These include compensatory and rehabilitative alimony, temporary maintenance, and permanent alimony. The type of alimony awarded depends on the circumstances of the case and the reasons for the entitlement.
For instance, a woman who sacrificed her career to stay at home and care for the children and keep the house may be found to qualify for compensatory or rehabilitative alimony to pay her back for her sacrifices or to put her in a better position to earn her own living after divorce. In other cases, a court may simply order temporary maintenance to help a party stay afloat financially during divorce proceedings or for a number of months afterward. Awards of permanent alimony, as we've noted, are becoming increasingly rare, but still do occur.
Alimony, even when temporary, can be an important source of support for a divorced person. By the same token, it can be a significant burden on the paying party, particularly if it is permanent. This is why it is important to work with an experienced attorney in divorce. Doing so will help ensure one's rights and interests receive the advocacy they deserve.
Source: Arizona Center For Divorce Education, "Spousal Maintenance," Accessed Nov. 5, 2014.
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