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How Does Alimony Work in New Jersey?

If you are a financially dependent spouse and are getting a divorce, you must read on and reach out to an experienced New Jersey alimony attorney to learn more about how we can help you through the legal process going forward. Alimony is oftentimes a hotly-contested issue in divorce, so you cannot afford to fight for it alone. Here are some of the questions you may have regarding alimony payments in the state of New Jersey:

What are the different types of alimony available to individuals in New Jersey?

Since every marriage functions differently financially, there are different types of alimony available to accommodate different situations. The four primary types of alimony in New Jersey are as follows:

  • Limited duration alimony: If you are a financially dependent spouse who has been married for less than 20 years, a judge will most likely decide on the amount of time you will receive financial support via alimony payments.
  • Open durational alimony: Financially dependent spouses who have been married for more than 20 years, on the other hand, will most likely qualify for open durational alimony payments. In recent years, New Jersey courts have changed permanent alimony into open durational alimony, which means financially dependent spouses are granted alimony for an indeterminate period of time. However, if the individual receiving alimony payments gets a raise, remarried, or is otherwise able to support themselves financially, the alimony may be adjusted or terminated altogether.
  • Rehabilitative alimony: This is for when a spouse puts his or her career goals aside to support their spouse’s career. If they divorce, rehabilitative alimony may be awarded to the dependent spouse to receive the retraining or reeducation they may need to get back into their field.
  • Reimbursement alimony: This is generally reserved for repaying spouses who paid for the other spouse’s expenses while they underwent training or partook in schooling,

How will New Jersey courts decide on my alimony terms?

New Jersey courts will consider several factors when deciding the type and amount of alimony payments you receive. For example, they will consider your health and age, your parental responsibilities, each party’s earning capacity, the duration of your marriage, the standard of living established in your marriage, and more.

Contact our experienced New Jersey firm

Matters of divorce and family law require the attention and skill of an experienced attorney who will fight for your future. Not only is your financial well-being at stake, but in a divorce, both you and your children’s emotional well-being are at risk as well. If you need a divorce and family law attorney in Ocean County, New Jersey, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Sarina Gianna, LLC today to schedule a consultation.