Bloomfield Hills Attorney Protecting Your Interests In Spousal Support (Alimony) Matters

Alimony and spousal support are often issues of high importance (and high conflict) in divorce proceedings. Whether you’re the recipient or the payer, alimony payments can make a difference in what your financial future will look like after divorce. Our attorney, Sherri Bono, is well-versed in all factors involved in the divorce process and has experience helping people figure out alimony and spousal support matters, including cases involving substantial alimony payments.

Our firm, Bono Legal Group, PLLC, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, has specific experience in high-value divorce cases where alimony may be in play. We can help you sort through these issues and find solutions that suit your needs.

How Is Alimony Determined In Michigan?

Spousal support has different rules than figuring out child support in Michigan. There is no specific formula used to determine the amount, or whether or not somebody should be awarded alimony at all. It is typically decided on a case-by-case basis.

Alimony is designed to help the lesser-earning spouse meet their needs and maintain a similar standard of living after divorce. It is usually intended to be a temporary arrangement until one spouse can better support themselves. It is generally part of the overall property division process in a divorce. If you and your spouse cannot come to an arrangement yourselves, the matter may need to go to court. A judge will look at several factors when determining whether or not to award alimony, how much support to award. and for what duration.Among the statutory factors the court considers:

• The length of the marriage
• The circumstances during the marriage (i.e. if one spouse supported the other while they went to school or if one spouse stayed at home with the children while the other worked)
• Each spouse’s capability to work (including factors like level of education and previous work experience)
• The other components of the property division settlement
• The economic situation of each party after divorce
• Standard of living during the marriage

These are just a few of the factors the judge may examine. But in these situations, your divorce attorney can better advocate for you and your situation. Your attorney can also help you determine what your interests are and what a fair settlement may look like. Ms. Bono can also assist if any modifications are needed down the road. Modifications to alimony or spousal support can be made in some cases if a person’s situation changes significantly.

Types Of Alimony In Michigan

Spousal support can take several forms in Michigan, depending on the needs of each spouse and the circumstances of the divorce. Some of the most common types include:

• Temporary alimony: This support is awarded while the divorce is pending. It helps the lesser-earning spouse cover immediate living expenses until the case is finalized.
• Long-term or permanent alimony: This form of support is less common but may be awarded after long marriages or when one spouse cannot reasonably become self-supporting due to age, health or other significant factors.
• Rehabilitative alimony: This type is often granted when one spouse needs financial assistance while pursuing education, training or job skills to reenter the workforce and become financially independent.
• Lump sum alimony: Instead of ongoing payments, the court may order a one-time, fixed payment that provides finality and allows both spouses to move forward without continued financial ties.

From the Bloomfield Hills office, Ms. Bono frequently works with clients in Birmingham, Rochester Hills, and throughout Oakland County, Michigan, who are facing these issues in divorce. Her experience with different forms of alimony allows her to guide clients toward fair and practical solutions.

Does Adultery Affect Spousal Support In Michigan?

Although Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, marital misconduct such as adultery may be considered when determining spousal support. A judge has the discretion to weigh whether the affair had financial or emotional effects on the marriage. This means that while adultery does not automatically increase or eliminate support, it can influence how a court decides the amount and duration of an award.

What Happens To Spousal Support If The Receiving Spouse Gets Remarried

Spousal support is usually terminated if the recipient remarries. The reasoning is that remarriage often changes the financial picture, as the recipient may now share expenses and resources with a new spouse. 

However, the specific terms of the original order govern the outcome. Reviewing the exact language of the divorce judgment is necessary to confirm whether support ends immediately or requires further court action.

Can Alimony Be Modified In Michigan

Alimony awards can be modified when there is a significant change in circumstances. Common examples include job loss, disability or a major decrease in the paying spouse’s income. Likewise, if the receiving spouse’s financial position improves considerably, such as through better employment, the court may consider lowering or ending support. Modification requests require proof of the change, and they are not automatic. Judges will review all relevant evidence carefully, and the outcome can vary depending on the specific facts.

Explore Spousal Support With An Experienced Divorce Lawyer

To get a better understanding of your situation for alimony or spousal support, contact us today. Ms. Bono can help evaluate your situation. Call 248-266-4627 or use the online contact form to set up an appointment. From our office in Bloomfield Hills, we help clients in Birmingham, Rochester Hills and throughout Oakland County, Michigan.