Divorce Advice for Men

 

Alimony

If you're facing the likelihood of paying spousal support let's start by providing you an alimony definition ahead of looking at why it exists and how it might effect you.

<a href="http://www.GreatDivorceAdvice.com/alimony/Alimony-Definition.htm">Alimony</a> or Spousal Support is an payment to support your ex (made under a court order) regarding you if you've been the chief income provider during the marriage. It can be approved without a divorce, when it's among legally separated individuals.

Why Alimony Exists Today

The law says, the goal  is to circumvent unjust economic compensation after a Divorce, even after the assets is divided and any Child Support is given to your ex.

The terms origin is from the Latin "alimonia" meaning to nurture and the first case was reported in Nevada, in a divorce at the end of the 19th century.

How Alimony Can Affect You

We begin by saying by classification there are two discrete forms of Spousal Support. They are the usual monthly payments form and the other being the less common one time Lump sum payment.

Nowadays which form is best for you consists in large part on your unique situation.  What you need to do is analyze your options and accept the option which is best for you, since every situation is distinctive.

What you would like to avoid is making the error of not knowing there are two options.  So first, find the essentials of your state of affairs and work out a sound strategy, because it is entirely possible you can bargain it down to nothing.

One thing to take into account when looking at both options is that monthly payments are tax deductible to you if you go that route. That means they're also part of the taxable income of your ex  So, there can be tax advantages to paying alimony, even if in your case a judge wouldn't award it to your ex.

Your best choice is to get inventive and negotiate it as an amount of your complete divorce settlement.

Alimony differs from child support, in that it is not regulated and is purely up to you and your spouse to negotiate payments, if any.  Conversely if you can't reach a deal with your wife, the judge in your case will decide an amount for you.
 
Therefore we've given you an alimony definition, why it exists today, and what you can do in your specific situation.