One commonly asked question that a lot of people have when they are going through a divorce is whether they will be granted spousal support payments, or alimony. There are four different types of alimony in New Jersey, which were recently altered with the change in spousal support laws.
Prior to the change in alimony laws, some couples were eligible to obtain permanent alimony. However, permanent alimony has since been replaced by open-durational alimony. This form is granted to couples who have been married for over 20 years. It doesn’t have an official end date but can be ended by a change in circumstances.
Limited-duration alimony is granted in marriages that lasted less than 20 years. The courts will grant this form to help the less-monied spouse become financially independent. Rehabilitative alimony is also granted in short-term situations. It will generally just go towards paying for the higher education of a spouse so they can advance their career and become financially independent in a few years time. The final alimony payment option is known as reimbursement alimony. This is generally granted in cases where one spouse has chosen obtaining an advanced degree instead of being employed during the marriage. The alimony would be granted to pay back the spouse who was employed during the marriage while the other spouse was obtaining their degree.
If you have questions about what type of alimony may be best in your situation, contact an experienced divorce attorney who can provide you with assistance.
Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC is honored to serve the people of New Jersey, including Sparta, Sussex County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Bergen County with the quality legal services they deserve. Contact our firm for a consultation today.
