If you are ending your marriage and expect to owe alimony or receive alimony payments, it is very important to familiarize yourself with a number of issues. For example, you should review factors that courts consider when awarding alimony, also known as spousal support. You should also understand that failure to pay alimony can lead to harsh consequences, including contempt of court charges.
It is also important to differentiate between alimony pendente lite and permanent alimony.
An overview of alimony pendente lite
According to the Connecticut Judicial Branch, alimony refers to support that one spouse has to pay to the other party before or after a divorce becomes finalized. In some cases, a spouse has to pay alimony pendente lite during the divorce process, which provides support to one party when the court decides that they need financial assistance.
It is pivotal to understand that alimony pendente lite is temporary, and courts will decide whether a spouse should receive permanent alimony when issuing a final order.
Preparing for alimony payments
If you recently found out that you owe alimony pendente lite, or expect to receive these payments, it is important to understand your options and rights. If you owe payments, make sure you pay on time, since failure to pay could have serious consequences. You should also carefully analyze the details of your divorce and factors that courts review when deciding whether to award permanent alimony and the amount that one party owes the other.
Dealing with alimony and other facets of the divorce process can generate high levels of stress and other negative emotions, but you have to stay focused on securing the best outcome during this crucial time.