Manhattan Spousal Support

In a divorce or a legal separation in New York, Spousal Support and/or maintenance will play a key part. Whether the case is of a contested divorce or of an uncontested divorce, the issue of Spousal Support will have to be addressed as the two parties involved divide their property and assets. Regardless of whether you are the party who seeks support or the party who potentially has to pay it, your Manhattan Spousal Support Lawyer will play a significant role in the case’s outcome. At Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC, each Manhattan Family Lawyer or Manhattan Divorce Lawyer in our offices—from each borough of NYC to Long Island Nassau County, Suffolk County and even Westchester County —will provide you not just with a free consultation, but with the experience and dedication required to protect your financial interests.

Any Manhattan Spousal Support Lawyer knows that in New York State, from Brooklyn to Westchester County, knows that the courts have the authority to award Spousal Support to one spouse as part of a divorce. Spousal Support, which is also referred to as maintenance or alimony, is a monetary payment given to one spouse by the other. Your Manhattan Family Lawyer will make sure you understand that it is possible for either spouse to be ordered by the Courts in New York City or on Long Island and through out the new York State to pay Spousal Support or maintenance to the other. The payment of it can be awarded in the form of one large sum, or structured as a payment over time.

How Spousal Support is Determined

The courts have broad discretion in awarding the amount of money deemed necessary to support the spouse receiving it, as long as the decision is founded on facts and on the circumstances that exist at when the Spousal Support award is granted. The facts of the case will be carefully reviewed by the court, and your Manhattan Family Lawyer will have a significant role in presenting the appropriate facts and information to help reach your goals. We understand that a judge in your case will examine details such as:

• The length of your marriage
• The conduct of both parties during the marriage
• The income levels, sources of income, and occupations of both parties
• The employability/skills of each spouse
• The contributions the party seeking maintenance made as a parent or homemaker
• The debts and assets of the parties
• The parties’ respective opportunities to acquire future assets
• Tax ramifications
• The health and age of both parties
• The special needs (if any) of either party

A Manhattan Spousal Support Lawyer from our offices, found in Manhattan Queens and on Long Island, will explain to you the three different types of maintenance or Spousal Support:

Permanent Maintenance: Payment for housing, food, clothing, and other needs. The spouse who requests permanent alimony must prove a need for support. Once awarded, permanent alimony, stays in effect unless a change in circumstances warrants its review.

Rehabilitative Maintenance: A common, temporary form of payment that is designed to support a spouse as they refresh or develop job skills to secure employment or a vocation.

Because Spousal Support (along with a Custody and Child Support issue) frequently are the most difficult aspect of the divorce process, speak with a Manhattan Spousal Support Lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC today. Call 800.696.9529 for free initial advice and to arrange a visit in any of our offices in New York City or the surrounding suburbs. Each Family Lawyer on our staff knows that Spousal Support issues—along with other Family Law concerns—can affect the future lifestyle of either spouse, so we will help you attain a resolution that does not leave you financially hindered.