March 21, 2014

Brief Guide to Child and Spousal Support

Divorce is tough, it can be even tougher if you don’t know what to expect. If your case requires child or spousal support, it can be even more vital to have a good attorney on your side to protect your rights. The New York divorce lawyers at Strazzullo Law & Associates, PLLC have helped many clients understand their rights and work through divorce. Understanding and education is key in cases like these, so this article provides some information about child and spousal support.

Child support payments are designed to provide the basic support needs of children, including food, clothing, and caring for them. It is important to remember that a child’s needs are physical, mental, and emotional. So, while child support is designed to provide the baseline requirements, it doesn’t take into account things like tutoring, music lessons, or other activities. There are state support guidelines, but if you and your spouse agree to an amount that is different from these guidelines, the court will usually accept the agreement. If an alternative agreement is approved, you must show that the child will be adequately cared for.

Spousal support or maintenance and alimony are all terms for one spouse paying support to the other after a divorce. It is designed to help a lower-earning spouse, or a spouse who has been out of the work force, to transition into being self-supporting. But alimony awards are fewer and fewer these days. Even if there is an award, the duration is shorter. An exception exists when the marriage lasted for longer than ten years.

To find out more about child support, visitation, and alimony click here or call the Brooklyn attorneys at Strazzullo Law & Associates, PLLC at (800) 476-9993 today. We can help you understand your rights, your children’s rights, and your spouse’s rights in divorce.