Atlanta Alimony Attorneys
Experienced Alimony Lawyers in Atlanta, GA and Surrounding Areas
Alimony in Georgia refers to ongoing financial support one spouse may provide to another following a divorce. While many people think alimony payments are standard in a divorce, alimony in Georgia is not awarded as frequently as it used to be. In recent times, with more two-income households, courts are concluding with more and more frequency that a spouse isn’t as likely to be as financially dependent as they may have been in past generations. This may or may not be accurate in your case.
At Kitchens New Cleghorn, LLC, our divorce lawyers in Buckhead, Atlanta will work with you to determine your expenses, income limits and more, and help figure out what support you might be entitled to, or what support you might be asked to contribute to your former spouse. It is our job to represent your needs to the court to help ensure that you are not left in a financial bind.
Types of Alimony Payments in Georgia
Contrary to popular belief, alimony isn’t always recurrent nor is it always permanent. There are a variety of potential types of alimony, including:
- Temporary Alimony: This involves financial support for a set period of time, and is typical while a divorce in pending. Being awarded temporary alimony does not mean you will be awarded alimony permanently.
- Indirect Alimony: This less traditional setup involves one spouse paying for items that benefit the other spouse; for instance, making mortgage or car loan payments.
- Alimony Arrangements: There also exist multiple payment arrangements concerning how money is paid, such as periodic payments, lump sum payments, or a combination of both.
Atlanta Alimony Decisions
Atlanta Family Court will choose the amount and type of alimony payment to be made based on the information presented. For this reason we consider it crucial that you have an attorney who is experienced and familiar with Georgia alimony law on your side to present a detailed account of your case, including relevant income figures, expenses ,and other lifestyle details that will support your case. Whatever your circumstances, our alimony lawyers will handle your case with the utmost care and professionalism to ensure you get the proper financial support or are not required to pay more than you should.
Who can receive Alimony in Atlanta?
Alimony in Atlanta and throughout Georgia is not restricted to either spouse. That means a spouse of any gender can receive or be ordered to pay alimony. Determinations have historically been based on need, with courts weighing reasonable expenses and considering how financially dependent one spouse is upon the other.
Over the years, Atlanta courts have cut back on alimony payments, citing the fact that spouses of both genders oftentimes work and earn salaries. This may or may not benefit your particular situation, and our divorce lawyers will be happy to talk with you and work you through the process. In many cases, spouses who have been out of the workforce may face difficulty finding employment in a tight job market.
Our family law attorneys are here to listen to the details of your case and determine what is the best option for you. We will work hard to present the details of your case and reach an agreement that keeps you economically secure.
Fulton County Alimony Payment Factors
Whether or not a spouse will receive alimony, or be forced to pay it, will depend on factors including:
- The standard of living each spouse enjoyed during their marriage
- The duration of the marriage
- The age, physical condition and emotional condition of the parties
- The financial resources of each party
- Whether adultery took place and was a reason for the divorce
For the most part, alimony ceases upon the death or remarriage of the recipient.
Tax Implications of Atlanta Alimony Payments
Payments toward alimony in Georgia are not exempt from tax laws. Typically, the person making the payments can deduct the payments from his or her taxable gross income, and the payee must add payments as part of his or her gross income. Please consult with our attorneys as well as a tax professional to better understand the tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Service regarding alimony payments.
