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Trusted Lawyer in

South Jersey & Philadelphia

Our Spousal Support Lawyer Is Here To Help You Find Fairness

When a couple is going through a divorce, it will have a dramatic impact on their financial future. If one spouse earns significantly more money than the other, it may be possible that the courts will award spousal support, or alimony, to the other spouse. The amount and duration of the support will depend upon the couple’s situation, and often, there are substantial disagreements over the need or ability to pay for the support.

At the Law Offices of David T. Garnes, LLC, we offer skilled assistance to clients going through a divorce who are requesting or contesting a spousal support award. Our founding lawyer, David T. Garnes, has more than 20 years of experience resolving divorce cases. He will present a clear picture of your case to the court and work hard to find a positive resolution to your case.

Are you considering divorce? For a free consultation, call our law office in Cherry Hill at 856-324-4593, or call our Philadelphia law office at 267-838-9713. You can also reach us by email. We have a thorough understanding of spousal support laws in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

How Do New Jersey And Pennsylvania Determine Spousal Support

Pennsylvania and New Jersey have different approaches to determining alimony. Here’s what you should know about what the court considers when deciding for each state.

New Jersey Spousal Support Factors

Alimony, or spousal support, is a legal obligation to provide financial support to a spouse after a divorce or legal separation. The amount of alimony and the duration of payments can vary depending on the state in which the divorce occurs. In New Jersey, courts determine alimony based on a set of statutory factors, including the length of the marriage, the income and earning capacity of each spouse, the standard of living during the marriage and the age and health of each spouse. The court may also consider any other relevant factors, such as the contributions of each spouse to the marriage and any economic or noneconomic contributions to the marriage. The court will weigh these factors and determine the amount and duration of alimony payments, which can be permanent or limited in duration.

Pennsylvania Spousal Support Factors

In Pennsylvania, alimony is determined based on a set of factors as well, including the duration of the marriage, the age, health and earning capacity of each spouse, and the standard of living during the marriage. Other factors may include the contributions of each spouse to the marriage, the education and training of each spouse and any other relevant factors. Unlike New Jersey, Pennsylvania has no specific formula for calculating alimony payments. Instead, the court has the discretion to determine the amount and duration of alimony based on the unique circumstances of each case. The court may award alimony for a limited or indefinite period, depending on the factors involved.

Courts look at a variety of factors when determining alimony for a divorcing couple, including the length of the marriage, the income and earning capacity of each spouse and the standard of living during the marriage. While New Jersey has a set of statutory factors to consider, Pennsylvania gives the court more discretion to decide based on the unique circumstances of each case.

How Long Does Spousal Support Last?

The duration of alimony payments varies by state, and courts base the period of spousal support on a set of factors specific to each case. Here’s what New Jersey and Pennsylvania courts look at when deciding how long one spouse should pay alimony.

A Look At Duration For New Jersey

In New Jersey, the duration of alimony payments depends on the length of the marriage. For marriages lasting less than 20 years, alimony payments typically last no longer than the length of the marriage. Alimony payments may be permanent for marriages lasting more than 20 years or continue until the payee spouse remarries or dies. However, the court may also consider other factors, such as the age and health of each spouse, their earning capacities and the standard of living during the marriage, to decide on the duration of alimony payments.

Factors For Alimony Duration In Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the duration of alimony payments depends on a variety of factors, including the length of the marriage, the health and earning capacity of each spouse, and the standard of living during the marriage. Unlike New Jersey, Pennsylvania does not have specific guidelines or formulas for calculating the duration of alimony payments. The court has the discretion to decide based on the unique circumstances of each case. Courts may award alimony payments for a limited or indefinite period, depending on the factors involved.

Keep in mind that the court may be willing to modify alimony arrangements if one or both of you has a significant change in income or health. There may also be situations where the court may terminate alimony payments.

State Laws Can Dramatically Impact Your Case

There are significant differences in the way that New Jersey and Pennsylvania treat alimony determinations. In Pennsylvania, spousal support is based upon a number of different factors that the court will consider. In New Jersey, the state has recently passed a law that carefully states how alimony should be calculated. It has also eliminated permanent alimony. Those with existing spousal support obligations in New Jersey may have an opportunity to revisit prior spousal support awards with the passage of the new law.

We sit down with each client to ensure that they understand the law before their case proceeds. We will answer any questions that you have about spousal support, and we will help you learn about what may happen in your case. We want you to feel confident that we are committed to protecting your best interests.

Contact Our Alimony Lawyer For A Free Consultation

To learn more about spousal support in your case, contact our experienced family law attorney by calling our law office in Cherry Hill at 856-324-4593, or call our Philadelphia law office at 267-838-9713. You can also send us an email. Se habla español. We offer evening and weekend appointments as well as flexible payment plans.