Greensboro Alimony Attorneys

Helping You Secure the Financial Support You Need

Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is a court-ordered payment that one spouse makes to the other after a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage. Alimony is not awarded in every divorce case, and the amount and duration of alimony payments can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

At Roupas Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the financial challenges you may be facing as you go through a divorce. Our Greensboro alimony lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and options when it comes to spousal support. We can help you pursue a fair alimony arrangement that allows you to move forward with confidence.

Call (336) 850-5525 or contact us online to request a consultation with our Greensboro alimony lawyers.

How Is Alimony Determined in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, alimony is not automatically awarded in every divorce case. Instead, the court will consider a variety of factors to determine whether alimony is appropriate and, if so, how much should be paid and for how long.

Some of the factors the court will consider when determining alimony include:

• The length of the marriage
• The age and health of each spouse
• The income and earning capacity of each spouse
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The financial needs and obligations of each spouse
• The marital misconduct of either spouse
• The contributions of each spouse to the marriage
• Any other relevant factors

It is important to note that the court will not consider marital misconduct when determining alimony if the misconduct was the reason for the divorce and the misconduct occurred before the date of separation. Additionally, the court will not consider the marital misconduct of either spouse if the misconduct occurred after the date of separation.

Types of Alimony in North Carolina

There are several different types of alimony that can be awarded in North Carolina. The specific type of alimony that is awarded will depend on the specific circumstances of the case.

The different types of alimony in North Carolina include:

• Post-Separation Support: Post-separation support is a temporary form of alimony that is awarded to a dependent spouse after the date of separation but before the divorce is finalized. Post-separation support is intended to help the dependent spouse meet their financial needs while the divorce is pending. Post-separation support is not awarded in every case, and the amount and duration of the payments will depend on the specific circumstances of the case.
• Rehabilitative Alimony: Rehabilitative alimony is a temporary form of alimony that is awarded to a dependent spouse for a specific period of time. Rehabilitative alimony is intended to help the dependent spouse become self-supporting. The dependent spouse must present a specific plan for how they will become self-supporting in order to be awarded rehabilitative alimony.
• Permanent Alimony: Permanent alimony is a long-term or indefinite form of alimony that is awarded to a dependent spouse. Permanent alimony is typically awarded in cases where the dependent spouse is unable to become self-supporting due to age, disability, or other factors. Permanent alimony is not truly permanent and can be modified or terminated if there is a substantial change in circumstances.
• Lump-Sum Alimony: Lump-sum alimony is a one-time payment that is made to a dependent spouse. Lump-sum alimony is typically awarded in cases where the dependent spouse is not expected to become self-supporting and the supporting spouse has the financial means to make a one-time payment.
• Reimbursement Alimony: Reimbursement alimony is a one-time payment that is made to a dependent spouse to reimburse them for financial contributions they made to the supporting spouse’s education or career. Reimbursement alimony is typically awarded in cases where the dependent spouse supported the supporting spouse while they were in school or training.

How Long Does Alimony Last in North Carolina?

The duration of alimony in North Carolina will depend on the specific type of alimony that is awarded. Post-separation support is typically awarded for a period of time that is necessary for the dependent spouse to become self-supporting. Rehabilitative alimony is typically awarded for a specific period of time that is necessary for the dependent spouse to complete their education or training and become self-supporting.

Permanent alimony is typically awarded in cases where the dependent spouse is unable to become self-supporting due to age, disability, or other factors. Permanent alimony is not truly permanent and can be modified or terminated if there is a substantial change in circumstances. Lump-sum alimony is a one-time payment and does not last for any specific period of time. Reimbursement alimony is also a one-time payment and does not last for any specific period of time.