Alimony—am I getting it or do I have to pay it?
Questions about alimony are what I hear most often from my clients. There are a lot of questions and confusion—rightfully so—as to how alimony is calculated and how long it’s going to last. And, naturally, they are most concerned with how much they are going to receive or are going to have to pay to their ex-spouse.
That answer varies depending on where you are in the country, but on a very basic and universal level, some of the factors that the courts typically include in its decision are:
- age and length of the marriage
- the needs of the recipient spouse
- the payor’s spouse’s ability to pay
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk all about alimony with one of my law partners, Carlos Lastra. Carlos and I are co-chairs of our firm’s Family Law practice as well as members of the Litigation practice group.
Carlos has represented clients in all aspects of family law—from complex high net worth divorces, with closely held businesses and property spanning multiple jurisdictions including foreign countries, to highly sensitive divorces including hidden assets.
Carlos is a highly accomplished trial lawyer who has been honored throughout his career with numerous awards and distinctions, including Legal Elite – Washington’s Top Attorneys, SmartCEO Magazine, top “Divorce Attorney” by Washingtonian and Bethesda Magazine, as well as Family Law Practitioner of the Year.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
- The difference between the two types of alimony
- The process in determining what alimony is going to be including amount and length of time
- The most common reasons why alimony is terminated, plus evidence that can lead to terminating alimony
- Why cohabitating—with a romantic partner and even a platonic roommate—post-divorce can impact receiving alimony
- How digital forensics can play a role in terminating alimony
Learn more about Carlos Lastra:
Resources mentioned in this episode
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