The 5 Types of Alimony in New Jersey

Alimony and spousal support is a key component of many Bergen County divorce settlement agreements. Alimony allows individuals who have traditionally been financially dependent on their spouse to continue to receive financial support during, and after, their divorce, and maintain a lifestyle as close as possible as to what they enjoyed during their marriage.

However, the type of alimony that is awarded depends on a number of factors, including the duration of the marriage, the ability of both parties to secure future employment, the age of the parties, and more. Additionally, more than one type of alimony can be awarded, the different types are not mutually exclusive.

 

Temporary Alimony Attorneys Hackensack, NJ

The first type of alimony is that of temporary alimony, known legally as “pendente lite support”. Temporary alimony can be obtained by the dependent party during the divorce process itself, before a final alimony settlement has been reached. Temporary alimony is typically awarded to spouses whose income is not sufficient to cover their expenses, or spouses who are as-of-yet unemployed.

 

Limited Duration Alimony Lawyers Fort Lee, NJ

Limited duration alimony is generally awarded for shorter-duration marriages, and with the understanding that the supported party will seek employment and self-sufficiency after their divorce. Limited duration alimony will last until either a set date, or self sufficiency has been reached depending on your exact agreement, but if you have reason to believe your former spouse is not taking the steps necessary towards securing this self-sufficiency, you may wish to petition the courts to terminate your alimony obligations, as your former spouse is not meeting theirs.

 

Permanent Alimony Attorneys Ridgewood, NJ

Permanent alimony is generally awarded when the marriage in question was a longer-lasting marriage in which one spouse sacrificed career or educational opportunities in order to be caretakers of a home or family. There is no set marital duration which distinguishes when permanent alimony is awarded, or when limited alimony is awarded, each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and often depends on the attorneys involved.

 

Rehabilitative Alimony Lawyers Bergen County, NJ

Rehabilitative alimony is intended to not only help a dependent spouse meet financial obligations for a certain period of time, it also will allow them to seek the training or education necessary to securing future employment. If one party of a shorter-term marriage left their job to take care of the home or children, they may have lost certain skills necessary to returning to their previous line of employment. Rehabilitative alimony allows that individual to undergo and receive the training necessary to re-enter the workplace.

 

Reimbursement Alimony Attorneys Hackensack, NJ

The final possible type of alimony that may be awarded during a Bergen County divorce is that of reimbursement alimony. Reimbursement alimony is much less about support than other types of alimony, and is more, as its name suggests, reimbursement for certain expenditures during a divorce.

Reimbursement alimony is generally awarded when both spouses pool their resources to allow a single party to pursue higher education, and secure a higher earning potential down the road. If the marriage dissolves, the spouse who sacrificed their own earning potential or education opportunities to help the other spouse may be entitled to reimbursement for the money they paid, or personal sacrifices they made.

Reimbursement alimony is calculated based on the financial contributions toward a former spouse’s education including household expenses, education expenses, school travel costs, and any other contributions made towards that spouse obtaining their degree or license.

 

Contact Our Bergen County Alimony and Spousal Support Attorneys Today

At The Law Office of Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients across Ridgewood, Fort Lee, Hackensack, and the greater Bergen County area to fairly and effectively resolve all of their alimony concerns.

We help clients identify their specific needs and concerns for their financial future, and work to secure a settlement which takes those needs and concerns into account, and will protect your financial security and stability moving forward.

To speak with our firm today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your divorce, alimony settlement, or a change to your existing alimony agreement, please contact us online, or through our Hackensack office at (201) 397-1750.

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