Alimony & Spousal Support

In Connecticut, a person may be awarded support after the parties have separated, throughout the length of the divorce proceedings, and after the divorce has been finalized. Alimony is intended to ensure that both parties are on fairly even ground after the divorce, however, alimony is not a foregone conclusion in any case. It may be established by the agreement of the parties or the court may award it based upon the circumstances of the parties.

When alimony is requested, a judge will analyze the following criteria in order to reach an appropriate award:

• The length of the marriage;
• The socio-economic status of the couple and the nature of the lifestyle enjoyed during the marriage;
• The health and age of each of the parties;
• Whether both parties work, the nature of the employment, and earning potential moving forward;
• The specific needs of the parties, including any unique requirements;
• The economic impact of the division of property – the court may decide to order a greater allocation of the marital property rather than establishing alimony payments;
• Whether there are any minor children – if one parent is going to act as the primary caregiver, then the court may determine that it is not possible for that parent to pursue a particular career until the children have reached a specific age; and
• Whether the actions of one party contributed to the dissolution of the marriage – factors such as adultery or abuse may weigh heavily in the calculation of alimony.

Courts in Connecticut are not bound to rigid rules when determining whether alimony is appropriate and the amount of the alimony award. In addition, a judge may exercise discretion in the nature of the award, including ordering a series of lump sum payments rather than weekly or monthly disbursements. A court also may award time limited alimony that is intended to provide the means for an individual to attain the skills, education, and/or certifications necessary to support himself. One thing that is critical for parties going through a divorce to remember is that alimony must be addressed in the divorce decree as the parties cannot go back and request this type of support after the divorce has been finalized.

To Learn More About Your Legal Rights, Contact Attorney Sheila Cascio

The Law Offices of Sheila S. Cascio offer individuals in Norwalk, Danbury, upper Fairfield County, and surrounding areas, high-quality divorce representation without the inflated fees that are charged by large law firms. Attorney Cascio has spent more than a decade honing her legal skills while remaining committed to treating her clients with compassion and respect. Contact the Norwalk office at (203) 939-9411 or call (203) 885-0042 to schedule an appointment in New Fairfield.