Alimony

Why Do I Need an Alimony Attorney in Surprise, AZ?

You need an alimony attorney because it is a fact that only a professional in the field of family law can provide you with the help and legal representation that you need. You might have been through a rough time, but the most important thing is to move on from the past and look forward to a bright future. 

If you are having trouble in your marriage or your relationship with your partner’s ex-spouse, then you should start by looking for a Surprise divorce attorney to solve these problems. There are things that people who do not specialize in this type of law simply cannot handle, so if you want to avoid making big mistakes and paying unnecessary fees, then you should hire an alimony attorney in Surprise, AZ.

Here are some critical elements you should consider when looking for an alimony attorney. 

Has Experience

Experience is one of the many things that make an outstanding alimony attorney in Surprise, AZ. The Dodds Law Firm, PLC has a history of winning alimony cases for our clients and has the experience to prove it. No matter your case’s complexity, we have a proven track record of success, and our divorce lawyers will do everything in their power to ensure you get the alimony you deserve.

Understands Your Case

When you’re looking for a competent alimony attorney in Surprise, AZ, it’s essential to look for someone experienced with divorce law. The Dodds Law Firm, PLC, is the perfect choice for your case. We have been in practice for many years and have handled all sorts of cases, including child custody, alimony, parenting time, and other legal issues. 

Our experienced attorney will take the time to talk to you and learn about the details of your case. This allows us to understand what you are against and how best to proceed. We’ll review your options, so you can make an informed decision about handling your case. Our law firm has a high success rate in divorce cases, and that’s because we fight hard for our clients.

Negotiate in Your Favor

Our divorce attorney will work hard to ensure you get the best possible settlement in your divorce. You may feel overwhelmed like you don’t have a voice or a chance to negotiate. With our team on your side, you can get through this and move on with your life. We are here to help you understand what it takes to win your case.

Win Your Case

Our divorce lawyer is here for you in your divorce case or family law matter. You can trust us to protect your rights and negotiate a fair settlement. We know how to win cases, and we will fight for you. Trust your Arizona divorce and alimony case to Dodds Law Firm, PLC, and make sure that the outcome is the one you want!

“Win Your Case” is a bold claim. You probably have questions about our firm, legal services, and what we can do for you. We welcome your inquiries and would be happy to answer any questions or address your concerns. Call us now or fill out the online contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

What is Alimony?

Spousal support may be granted at the court’s discretion. Spousal support, also known as alimony, is typically awarded in long-term marriages where the support-seeking spouse is incapable of supporting themselves. Statute 25-319 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) details all aspects of Spousal Maintenance.

Child support is strictly regulated using the Arizona Child Support Guidelines and the Arizona Child Support Calculator. Child Support, unlike alimony, follows particular guidelines and is awarded to ensure the financial security of the couple’s children. Working with a Surprise divorce lawyer will protect your and your children’s rights.

Who Qualifies for Alimony?

The requesting party must clearly show a need for assistance and the other party’s ability to pay before the court can award maintenance. The court will determine if the support is a “need” if the requesting spouse:

• Even after property division in the divorce process, this spouse lacks sufficient assets to meet their needs
• Cannot support themselves through employment
• Contributed financially to the other spouse’s training, education, or vocational skills to increase that spouse’s earning potential
• Has lost wages or career opportunities for the benefit of the other spouse, or
• Due to their long marriage and advanced age, they cannot find work and become self-sufficient.

The judge must evaluate each case individually to determine if a spouse can become self-sufficient through employment. For instance, if you are caring for a very young child or your child has an illness or disability that makes it difficult for you to maintain full-time employment outside the home, the court may order your ex-partner to pay support for a more extended time.

How Does the Court Determine Support?

After the court determines that spousal maintenance is warranted, the judge must determine the amount and duration of the award, taking into account the following factors:

• The standard of living of a couple
• The duration of the marriage
• Age, job history, earning capacity, and physical and mental health of each partner
• The ability of the paying spouse to provide support while meeting the financial requirements of both spouses
• The relative monetary resources of both partners, including their earning potential in the current labor market
• How much the requesting spouse contributed to the earning capacity of the paying spouse throughout the marriage
• How much the recipient spouse sacrificed income or career opportunities for the benefit of the other spouse
• After the divorce, each spouse’s ability to contribute to the future educational costs of the parties’ children
• The economic ability and ability to be financially independent of the requesting spouse
• The time required for the recipient spouse to obtain training or education to find suitable employment and the availability of education and training
• The excessive spending of either spouse, the destruction, concealment, or fraudulent disposition of community property, the cost of health insurance for either spouse, and
• Any damages and judgments resulting from a spouse’s criminal behavior if the other spouse or a child was the victim of domestic or child abuse (A.R.S. 25-319).

Unlike child support, there is no established formula for spousal maintenance. Lately, some Arizona courts have conducted experiments using techniques to calculate a starting point for spousal maintenance. But any judge in Arizona who consults a formula must still consider all of the above-described factors. A judge has broad discretion in determining the amount to award or whether to award any sum after considering such factors.

It is essential to realize that couples can agree on the type, amount, and duration of spousal maintenance, thereby eliminating the need for a judge’s assessment.

How Much Alimony Can I Expect?

If you are eligible for alimony, the amount you will receive will depend on various factors, such as:

• The same factors determine if you qualify
• Your standard of living as a couple
• Age, health, earning capacity, and comparable financial resources of you and your spouse
• Your partner’s financial ability to pay alimony
• Marriage duration
• Bad faith and criminal behavior by you or your spouse

If you cannot agree with your partner, our Arizona family law attorney is always ready to go to court to obtain the spousal maintenance you are entitled to.

Modification of Alimony

Unless you have signed an agreement prohibiting it, you may petition the court to modify a post-divorce alimony order. Here are some examples of situations that may merit modification:

• A modification to your employment situation or income level
• Your partner can pay more or if the beneficiary achieves financial independence
• Increases in your or your partner’s essential expenditures
• You and your partner agree to a change

Whether you want a modification or not, our AZ lawyer will fight for you.

Are Alimony Payments Tax Deductible In Arizona?

A deduction for alimony payments or taxes owed on payments received was allowed before 2019. However, as of 2019, alimony is neither taxable nor tax-deductible. We can provide you with more information regarding the tax implications of alimony in your situation.

Contact our Alimony Attorney in Surprise, AZ, Now!

Obtaining alimony can be an essential part of the divorce proceedings for some people. It is one more means of ensuring a secure future, whether taking care of your finances or providing a comfortable life for your children. If you are seeking alimony in Surprise, AZ, our experienced family law lawyer can help you. Contact us today or chat with us online to set up a consultation and get legal advice!