NYC Spousal Maintenance Attorney
Protecting Families During the Course of Divorce
Divorce introduces a major shift in circumstances financially and emotionally. Spousal maintenance is one of the issues that will be determined during the course of your divorce. Retaining Avvo® Superb Rated NYC firm of H. Benjamin Perez & Associates, P.C., will ensure you receive the benefit of years of experience in family law and divorce legal matters.
Is New York an Equitable Distribution State?
New York is an equitable distribution state. During a divorce, the court will use a point system to determine what, if any, spousal maintenance will be awarded.
Spousal Support vs Spousal Maintenance
There is a difference between spousal support and spousal maintenance, which may impact the amount granted during a divorce.
- Spousal support is support provided during a marriage. If a spouse is not properly contributing to spousal support, a court order can be obtained directing the payment of an amount to the dependent spouse.
- Spousal maintenance is the term used to describe the monetary award for support after the divorce. The court may consider the support order when determining the issue of spousal maintenance. Generally, the court will use a guideline composed of twenty items to determine spousal support.
Potential Issues When Determining Spousal Maintenance
Some of the issues considered are:
- The income and property of each spouse and the share of the assets after the divorce;
- The age and health of the dependent spouse;
- The length of the marriage;
- Whether any re-training will be necessary for the dependent spouse to become employable;
- Any actions taken against the dependent spouse which hinder the ability to earn adequate income;
- Whether the dependent spouse is the primary caregiver of the minor children, stepchildren, elderly parents, or adult children with disabilities, thus reducing the ability to earn income.
Contact Our Spousal Maintenance Lawyer Today
Once the determination is made, the court can order that the maintenance last a lifetime or for a set number of years. Any existing spousal support order will be canceled by a spousal maintenance order. If you are in need of an experienced spousal maintenance attorney in New York, please do not hesitate to reach out to our firm. We offer an initial consultation to assist you with the decisions you need to make and to gain an understanding of state law regarding support.
Contact H. Benjamin Perez & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a consultation with our NYC spousal maintenance attorney. We are fluent in Spanish and English.
What Sets Us Apart?
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Accessible to Clients 24/7 for emergencies only
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Career Trial Lawyers & Professional Litigators
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A Long Track Record of Positive Verdicts
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Recipient of Avvo Clients' Choice & 10.0 Superb Awards