For many couples, sharing everything is a part of marriage, from your bank account and passwords to your last name and children. However, if you are financially dependent on your spouse, a divorce can leave you worried about the future. As such, understanding your alimony options is critical. Something you may have questions about regards the possibility of permanent spousal support. If you’re looking to learn whether or not this is offered in New York, you’ll want to keep reading You’ll also learn why you should contact a Nassau County alimony lawyer for further assistance.
How Long Does Alimony Typically Last?
In traditional circumstances, you’ll find that alimony is awarded when the recipient’s spouse requests it as a part of the divorce agreement. It’s important to understand that alimony is never automatically granted, and must be requested. The couple is encouraged to try to come to an agreement on this matter, but if they cannot, the courts will take over the case and issue a decision.
Generally, you’ll find that if alimony is awarded, it will not last longer than the length of the marriage. This means most spousal support orders only last for 15-50% of the length of the marriage. For example, if you were married for five years, in most instances the maximum duration of your alimony will be two and a half years.
However, you should note that there are many factors that will influence how long alimony lasts. This is because New York examines each unique case, meaning some may only receive temporary alimony lasting until their divorce is finalized, while others will receive durational alimony.
Can I Seek Permanent Spousal Support in New York?
It’s important to understand that in most instances, alimony will last a durational amount of time. However, under exceptional circumstances, the court will award permanent alimony. Essentially, this means the order would only end upon the death of either the paying or recipient spouse or in the event the paying spouse gets remarried.
Permanent alimony in New York is hard to achieve and generally means that the recipient spouse is older or has a chronic disability or illness that impacts their ability to achieve financial independence. Due to the permanence of this order, it is not often awarded. In fact, New York is one of a few states that still authorizes permanent alimony awards, as most have switched to an open-durational model that can be modified to end the order.
As you can see, this matter is very complex. If you believe you could qualify for permanent alimony, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney from Barrows Levy, PLLC. Our firm is committed to fighting for the best possible outcome for our clients. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn how we can help.
