A divorce is nothing short of easy. There are many issues that must be addressed throughout the process. One of the hardest ones is alimony. The purpose of alimony is to ensure that the dependent spouse can maintain a similar standard of living as an unmarried person as they did when they were married. New Jersey has recently changed their alimony laws to conform to all different familial situations. If you are going through a divorce, contact our experienced New Jersey divorce attorneys today to discuss your case.

What are the different types of alimony in New Jersey?

New Jersey’s alimony laws have drastically changed since 2014. The most significant change was the elimination of permanent alimony and replacement with 4 other structures of alimony. The new types of alimony are as follows:

  • Open durational alimony
  • Limited durational alimony
  • Rehabilitative alimony
  • Reimbursement alimony

If you have questions about which alimony structure fits best with your situation, contact Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC for a consultation today.

What does the court consider when determining alimony?

There are many factors that New Jersey courts consider when determining alimony. Some of these factors are:

  • Need and ability of the parties to pay
  • Duration of the marriage
  • Age and health of the parties
  • Standard of living established during the marriage
  • Earning capacities and employability of the parties
  • Length of absence from the job market for the supported spouse
  • Parental responsibility for the children
  • Time and expenses necessary to re-enter the workforce
  • History of financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage
  • Equitable distribution of property
  • Income available

The statute directs that both parties are equally entitled to maintain a comparable lifestyle to that which was enjoyed during the marriage, with neither party having a greater entitlement.

Additionally, the abolition of permanent alimony from the law has now forced courts to consider the amount of pendente lite support paid by an obligor prior to the entry of the final judgment for divorce.

Furthermore, the length of the alimony term does not have to equal the length of the marriage. The court must consider the above factors when making alimony determinations.

The reformation of the alimony law in 2014 has given attorneys much clearer parameters when guiding clients through this process. If you have questions about alimony or the divorce process in general, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced divorce attorney at Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC. We are here to help you through this overwhelming time.

Contact our Firm

We understand that those getting a divorce most likely have several questions regarding the weeks and months to come. 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. If you are getting a divorce or have any other questions regarding divorce-related matters, please do not hesitate to contact our firm for a consultation today.