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Factors Considered for Alimonies
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Factors Considered for Alimonies
The various factors considered when determining alimony include the standard of living.
Therefore if the couple lived a luxurious and extravagant life during the marriage, this wealth
would be considered in awarding alimony to the wife to maintain the social standing on her own
or same lifestyle. Another factor is the marriage duration: the longer the marriage duration, the
longer the payment period for alimony. However, regardless of this factor, if the judge identifies
that a spouse does not need alimony or cannot pay, the alimony will not be awarded even if the
marriage is long. The third factor is the emotional and physical condition of the spouses. A
court's assessment of the spouses' emotional and physical condition is significant to the court's
need vs. the capability to pay this support assessment.
The fourth factor is the period to get employment. This aspect is mostly used in scenarios
wherein one party was a stay at home father, or mother (MERIWETHER & THARP, 2020).
Therefore, that party may lack employment skills at the time of divorce. Consequently, the court
might award alimony for some specific time that the unskilled spouse will acquire the skills
essential to make him or her earns a living. Once they have acquired the education or training
required, the alimony will no longer be valid. Additionally, the party's financial resources are
another factor. Like the emotional and physical factors, financial aspects help the judges identify
each spouse's needs and each spouse's capability to pay alimony. This means that the more
personal financial asset a spouse possesses, the less need for support, and vice versa.
Lastly, marriage contribution is also utilized. This factor considers all marriage
contribution, not just financial contributions. It might apply when one party sacrificed career
opportunities or earning potential to commit time and energy to the family and home to support
the other party’s career.
