Will I Be Entitled to Alimony?

 Posted on January 14, 2024 in Spousal Maintenance

In the now-distant past, the need for alimony was almost assumed. Today, courts are more reluctant to order one spouse to make support payments to the other after a divorce. Even as recently as the 1970s, fewer women had the opportunity to build a career, especially if they were mothers. This generally meant that most wives were financially dependent on their husbands.

Now that the times have changed and many households need the income of both spouses to keep running, courts are more likely to determine that each spouse should be financially independent after a divorce. This does not mean alimony is no longer possible. There are a number of situations where spousal support may still be ordered if there is a clear need for it. If you believe that you will need alimony after your divorce, it is important to work with a Will County, IL, divorce attorney

Situations Where Spousal Support May be Ordered

Spousal support is still used as a means to keep a spouse who did not work for pay or cannot work for pay from facing serious poverty as a result of divorce. Types of circumstances where an Illinois court may still find that you should receive alimony include: 

• Disability - If you have a disability that prevents you from working enough to reasonably support yourself, the court may find that your spouse has a responsibility to continue financially supporting you. This is also true if you are elderly and your age is a barrier to working.
• Caring for a disabled child - Family law courts are well aware of the time and effort it takes for a parent to care for their disabled child. If your child has a disability that requires your around-the-clock care, such as more severe forms of autism or major physical health issues, you may be entitled to alimony in addition to child support. 
• Long-term homemaking - If you and your spouse have been married for a very long time, and you did not work for pay or earned little through part-time work, the court may not expect you to be able to jump directly back into the workforce. If you have not been employed for ten years, you would likely need more job training or a new degree or certification before you can reasonably earn enough to support yourself. Often, the alimony ordered in these cases is temporary rather than permanent. 

Contact a Naperville, IL, Divorce Attorney

Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C. is experienced in helping those who need spousal support obtain it. Our dedicated team of Will County, IL, divorce lawyers will do all we can to make sure you will be provided for. Contact us at 630-355-7776 for a complimentary consultation.