Pennsylvania Alimony Attorney in Bucks County

Financial Survival After Separation or Divorce: Paying or Receiving Spousal Support

Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey have a mechanism whereby the economically-dependent spouse can petition to receive payments from the economically-superior spouse during the pendency of a physical separation and even after divorce. Spousal support, also called spousal maintenance, can be ordered by a court if people are married, whether or not divorce was filed. Once divorce if filed, it can be termed either "spousal support" or "Alimony Pendente Lite" (or APL) which is Latin for alimony pending the (divorce) litigation.

In Pennsylvania, there are guidelines for spousal support or APL, but there are no such guidelines in New Jersey so the court must rely heavily on the statement of the economically-dependent and economically-superior spouses budgets as contained in their Case Information Statements (CSI's). In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, there could also be an award of alimony, which can be for a term or permanent. Alimony may also be modifiable or terminate upon some event such as the remarriage or cohabition of the recipient. Alimony is paid after the divorce is final but generally must be awarded as part of the final divorce, meaning you usually cannot come in after the divorce is over and seek alimony, so it is important that this is claimed during the pendency of the divorce proceedings and before the final Decree or Judgment in divorce is entered. Alimony, unlike child support, is always terminates with ht death of either party and is always taxable income the recipient and tax-deductible to the payor. Neither Pennsylvania nor New Jersey have guidelines for the determination of the amount or duration of alimony. As it is very fact-specific, considering factors such as the length of marriage, earnings or earning potentials, health and education of the parities and the like, it is important that you have an attorney with experience to help you make the proper arguments that apply to the specific facts of your case.

Whether you think you will need spousal support (APL or alimony) for yourself or you want to avoid paying excessive alimony to your ex-wife or husband, our law firm can help. In our family law practice, we represent both men and women in alimony and support disputes. We handle pendente lite hearings for temporary support during the divorce. We also handle divorce cases where one spouse is seeking spousal support to be paid after final divorce.

Do you have questions about alimony in your divorce? Call or e-mail us to schedule an appointment to talk with family law attorney Carla V. Risoldi at one of our two Bucks County office locations.

With nearly 20 years of experience resolving divorce issues, family law attorney Carla V. Risoldi can help you resolve your alimony dispute. She will review your circumstances, your financial resources, and many other factors and provide you with an estimate of how we think a family court judge might rule in your divorce. She will fight for the alimony and support order that you want.

Two Convenient Office Locations in Bucks County
Langhorne: 215-741-3700 | Buckingham: 215-794-9300

Serving Clients in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Berks, Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania and beyond and throughout New Jersey

We offer reasonably priced family law consultations that will give you useful information and practical advice. To schedule a daytime or evening appointment with a lawyer, call either of our Bucks County office locations or contact us online.

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