The hardest time in any relationship is its disintegration. Nobody predicts they will end up divorcing their spouse at the time of their marriage. Rather obviously, divorce stems from the inability to agree on certain key issues. Unsurprisingly, this theme very often extends throughout the divorce process, and both spouses find it difficult to agree on the terms of their divorce as well. When a couple gets divorced, they very often disagree on terms regarding child support, child custody, and spousal support (more commonly referred to as alimony). If you are a dependent spouse, you are most likely worried about what will happen once you have to fully support yourself. Fortunately, this does not have to be the case. New Jersey has several different alimony options available, all designed to help you get back on your feet. If you believe you are entitled to alimony payments from your spouse, here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the different types of alimony available in New Jersey?
New Jersey has four primary types of alimony available to dependent spouses. They are as follows:
- Open-durational alimony: This is primarily for spouses who have been married for over 20 years. This type of alimony does not have a set end date, though it is not intended to be permanent. The amount of the alimony obligation may be modified based on a significant change in circumstance.
- Limited-duration alimony: This type of alimony is intended for spouses who have been married for a short period of time, and the court will make its decision based on you and your former spouse’s age, duration of your marriage, and your earning potential.
- Rehabilitative alimony: You may receive rehabilitative alimony if you require additional schooling or vocational training to help you become financially independent.
- Reimbursement alimony: This type of alimony is generally to repay a spouse who worked to support their spouse while he or she pursued an advanced degree.
How can I benefit from mediation?
When couples divorce, they very often seek to avoid the litigation process, due to its reputation for being a costly and time-consuming venture. You may do so too, as long as you and your spouse are willing to sit down with an unbiased third party, known as a mediator, to resolve the terms of your divorce civilly and reasonably. A divorce mediator will help facilitate a meaningful and productive conversation with the hopes of creating a plan that works for both you and your former spouse while avoiding the courtroom setting altogether.
Contact our experienced Bergen County firm
The Partners at Townsend Tomaio & Newmark lead the firm practicing Family and Divorce Law exclusively. All Partners have been honored by their inclusion in the New Jersey Monthly Super Lawyers List for several years. They lead the boutique firm in handling custody, support, alimony, divorce, and domestic violence cases across Northern, New Jersey.
