If you are considering a divorce, you might be wrestling with questions about your financial stability afterward. You might wonder if you could request financial support, especially if you anticipate economic challenges. In Maryland, alimony is a potential source of post-divorce financial support.
However, there are limitations on when you can request alimony.
Timing is critical when seeking alimony
The court typically grants alimony before the final dissolution of the marriage. If you fail to make a claim for it during the divorce proceedings, you cannot initiate a claim after the marriage has ended. Importantly, alimony is not awarded in all divorces. Simply getting a divorce does not entitle you to financial support from your spouse. It’s essential to inform the court of your need for alimony. This allows it to assess all relevant factors in order to determine a fair and equitable alimony award.
Alimony is not awarded solely because you are financially dependent
Alimony payments to a dependent spouse are not granted by default. Instead, the awarding of alimony is a process that considers several factors. This includes assessing each party’s financial circumstances, the length of the marriage and the standard of living each spouse enjoyed during the marriage. However, the court begins its deliberation only when you assert your need, emphasizing the importance of your request’s timing and substance.
While the timing of your request is important, you should also pay close attention to the documentation of your financial situation and needs. Rushing through the process of requesting alimony may be detrimental. For this reason, you should consider consulting the help of a family law attorney. They can help you prepare for your request and gather the necessary documentation to support your claim for alimony, either during or after the divorce process.