Suffolk County Alimony Lawyer

Are you concerned about your financial future? Do you have questions about spousal support, or alimony? If so, you may be facing an issue related to alimony, which is a type of financial support paid from one spouse to another after a divorce. At The Law Office of Michael Catalanotto, PC, we understand how important your financial situation is, especially after going through a divorce. We can help you understand your options and pursue the best solution for your unique situation.

Call our firm at (631) 621-3750 or contact us online to speak with an experienced alimony lawyer in Suffolk County who can help you understand your options.

What Is Alimony?

Alimony is a payment from one spouse to another after a divorce. There are two types:

• Temporary alimony is paid during the divorce process.
• Permanent alimony is paid after the divorce is finalized.

An experienced alimony lawyer in Suffolk County can help you understand your options and pursue the best solution for your unique situation.

What Qualifies Me for Alimony in NY? 

If you’re going through a divorce in New York, you may be wondering if you qualify for alimony, also called spousal support or maintenance. The courts determine eligibility for alimony based on several factors, focusing on fairness and the financial needs of each spouse. Below is a detailed guide to help you understand the qualifications for alimony in New York.

New York has no one-size-fits-all formula for awarding alimony. Instead, the courts assess a variety of factors to decide whether one spouse should provide financial support to the other. Here are the main elements the court will consider:

1. Length of the Marriage

The duration of your marriage plays a crucial role in determining if—and how much—alimony might be awarded.

• Short Marriages: For a marriage that lasted only a few years, alimony is less likely to be significant and may only be granted temporarily or to cover a specific need.
• Long Marriages: If your marriage lasted a decade or longer, alimony is more likely, particularly if one spouse depended on the other financially for most of the marriage.

2. Income Disparity

The court looks at the income and earning capacity of both spouses.

• If there’s a significant gap between your income and your spouse’s, you may qualify for alimony, especially if your financial dependence during the marriage has left you at a disadvantage.
• The court may also consider your ability to become self-supporting through education or job training, which could impact the duration and amount of alimony.

3. Contributions to the Marriage

Both financial and non-financial contributions are taken into account when determining alimony.

• If you were the primary breadwinner or contributed to the family’s financial stability, this will be recognized.
• Non-financial contributions, such as managing the household, raising children, or supporting your spouse through education or career advancement, also carry significant weight. The court will aim to balance these contributions fairly.

4. Age and Health of the Parties

Your age and health—and that of your spouse—can be critical in deciding whether you qualify for alimony.

• If you’re older or in poor health, and unable to return to the workforce or support yourself financially, the court may award alimony to help meet your needs.
• Similarly, if your spouse’s age or health significantly limits their ability to pay alimony, that could affect the award.

5. Standard of Living During the Marriage

Courts try to maintain fairness by considering the standard of living established during the marriage.

• If you were accustomed to a certain lifestyle—such as living in a particular type of home, traveling often, or having specific comforts—alimony might be ordered to help you maintain this standard, at least partially, after the divorce. However, this depends on both parties’ financial realities.

6. Child Custody and Support

If you have primary custody of minor children, the court may be more inclined to award alimony, especially if caring for the children limits your ability to work.

• Alimony is separate from child support, but the caregiving responsibilities often influence the court’s decision on spousal support.

7. Other Factors

New York courts may weigh additional factors, such as any wasteful dissipation of marital assets, whether one spouse deferred their own career to support the other, or agreements made prior to or during the marriage (such as pre-or postnuptial arrangements).

Duration of Alimony

There are no set rules for how long alimony lasts. Courts will consider many factors when making this decision, such as:

• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse's financial situation
• How long it will take the supported spouse to become self-supporting
• Each spouse's physical and mental health
• Each spouse's earning capacity

Our firm can help you determine how long alimony will last in your case.

Choosing the Right Type of Alimony in New York

There are several types of alimony in New York. Our firm can help you determine which type of alimony is best for your situation.

Types of alimony include:

• Rehabilitative alimony helps a spouse get back on their feet after a divorce.
• Reimbursement alimony helps a spouse pay for certain expenses during the marriage, such as education or training.
• Lump-sum alimony is a one-time payment that helps a spouse pay for expenses.
• Durative alimony is long-term alimony that lasts for the duration of the marriage.
• Permanent alimony is long-term alimony paid after a divorce.

Our firm can help you determine which type of alimony is best for your situation.

Contact Our Suffolk County Alimony Lawyer Today 

Our team can help you with all alimony-related matters. We can help you determine the best solution for your unique situation and pursue the most favorable outcome.

We proudly serve clients throughout the entire area, including those in Nassau County and the surrounding communities. 

Call our firm at (631) 621-3750 or contact us online for dedicated alimony support in Suffolk County.