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Created more than 3,000 years ago, The Code of Hammurabi was one of humanity’s earliest sets of written laws.
Among the things in the code was a provision that said that if a man wanted to leave his wife, he needed to give her a dowry, along with rights to “field, garden or property.”
And with that, the concept of alimony – financial support paid by one spouse to another after a divorce – was born.
But what does alimony look like today in 21st century Pennsylvania? Read on to find out, with the help of a Doylestown alimony attorney.
Pennsylvania courts can order an ex-spouse to pay three types of financial support during a divorce case: spousal support, alimony pendente lite and alimony:
Unlike child support, there is no set formula for establishing alimony. Working with a Doylestown alimony attorney can prepare you for the types of questions the court might ask.
Under the law, Pennsylvania courts must consider several different factors:
In Pennsylvania, an alimony order might have a fixed end date, or it may be ongoing. Courts can review and modify the order as circumstances change.
Alimony stops automatically in cases where the spouse receiving alimony remarries, dies, or is living with someone of the opposite sex who is not a family member. Alimony will also end if the spouse paying support dies, unless the agreement stipulates that it will continue.
If you’re paying alimony, you can deduct those payments from your income. If you are receiving alimony, that counts as a form of income and should be declared as such.
If circumstances change for one of the spouses, they can file a motion to modify the alimony order. This change could be a significant loss of income, or an illness or disability.
As alimony attorneys, Doylestown’s Penglase & Benson deals with questions like these on a regular basis. And we’re ready to help guide you through the process of alimony, making sure your voice is heard during your divorce case.
If you’re seeking an alimony attorney in Doylestown, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Penglase & Benson has been recognized as one of the Fastest Growing Law Firms in the U.S.
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But how is alimony determined? There’s no simple formula. Courts in Pennsylvania will typically have an ex-spouse pay three types of support during a divorce.
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