Alimony is important to each party getting divorced. Whether you think you will be paying or receiving alimony, it is always a big consideration when contemplating filing for divorce.
In Connecticut, alimony is awarded when one party to the divorce makes a significant amount of money less than the other. If both partners make the same amount, don’t expect alimony to be awarded unless there is some kind of a special circumstance. However, the usual situation is that one spouse makes a significant amount more than the other and he/she is entitled to alimony. So what do the Connecticut courts consider when awarding alimony? The main factors are: the gap in any wages and assets earned among the spouses, age, health, length of the marriage, the reason for the breakdown of the marriage, several factors re: the earning capacity of the receiving party (can he/she work? does he/she have any experience working?) and any other facts a Judge finds fair on a case-by-case scenario.
So, if you are thinking about filing for divorce, or if you have already filed and want to know more about alimony, consider the elements above. Sometimes, this can determine if you can financially support yourself after a divorce and give you a better idea of what your new life will look like.