SPOUSAL SUPPORT ATTORNEYS IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA

During a divorce or legal separation, issues of spousal support or alimony often arise and need to be addressed properly. The Nebraska court may instruct one spouse to provide financial support to their ex-partner for a period during or after the divorce to mitigate the unfair economic impact of the marital dissolution. If you are thinking about filing for a divorce or are currently amidst the divorce process, and want to understand your options concerning alimony arrangements, consulting with our experienced Nebraska family law attorneys is imperative for proper guidance.

At Abrahamson Law Office, we have the expertise, diligence, and resources to assist, guide, and advise individuals and families in legal matters or divorce and spousal support. Whether you are trying to establish or modify alimony agreements, our trusted team has the dedicated legal guidance and reliable advocacy you need to navigate crucial decisions.

Abrahamson Law Office proudly represents clients across Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas of Otoe, Dodge County, Washington County, Sarpy County, and Saunders County.

Overview of Spousal Support in Nebraska

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is a court-ordered financial provision by one spouse to their estranged spouse during or for a period after a divorce. To limit any unfair economic implication of the divorce, Nebraska courts may order the higher-earning spouse to make regular or periodic payments as financial assistance to the lower- or non-earning spouse.

Types of Alimony

Three types of alimony may be awarded in a Nebraska divorce – temporary, rehabilitative, and permanent support.

Temporary Support

Temporary support may be awarded during the divorce to help the supported spouse make ends meet while they adjust to the new, one-income household post-divorce.

Rehabilitative Support

Rehabilitative support may be awarded in a divorce if one of the spouses needs time to acquire an education, job skills, or find employment, and become financially independent or self-supporting.

Permanent Support

Permanent support is awarded in rare cases, usually for decade-long marriages, where one spouse can't become self-supporting due to advanced age, disability, health issues or for spending a significant amount of time outside the workforce due to being a stay-at-home parent.

Our experienced Nebraska divorce attorneys can evaluate your unique circumstances and enlighten you about who may be entitled to pay or receive spousal support.

Who Is Entitled To Spousal Support?

Either spouse can request financial support in a divorce, regardless of gender. However, alimony isn't ordered in every Nebraska divorce. The court will only award spousal support if:

• The requesting spouse can demonstrate a need for financial support, and

• The other spouse can afford to pay.

A skilled lawyer can evaluate your eligibility for spousal support and enlighten you about how the amount, type, and duration of alimony are determined.

Determination of Type, Amount, and Duration of Alimony

To determine the type, amount, and duration of alimony, the Nebraska court will consider the various factors below:

• The length or duration of the marriage.

• The financial circumstances of each spouse.

• The monetary and non-monetary contributions of both spouses to the marriage, including childcare and education.

• The ability of the supported spouse to work without affecting their children's needs.

• Whether either spouse interrupted educational opportunities or personal careers during the marriage.

A knowledgeable spousal support attorney can walk you through the process of establishing or modifying a spousal support arrangement and help you make informed decisions.

Changes to Current Alimony Agreements

However, alimony orders are not set in stone. Provided that there is no written agreement not to change alimony later, either spouse can request for modification of the current alimony agreements. To modify the alimony order, the requesting party must demonstrate "a good cause." This often means a significant change in the spouse's financial situation or other circumstances.

Some common reasons to seek alimony adjustments include:

• Involuntary loss of job

• The supported spouse isn't making any reasonable effort to become self-supporting.

• A significant drop in income of the paying spouse

• The supported spouse no longer needs the monthly support payments

• New marriage or cohabitation

However, an alimony obligation will automatically terminate once the supported spouse dies or a specific event occurs, as stated in the divorce decree. A skilled family law attorney can attempt to protect your best interests and walk you through the process of seeking alimony modification.

Work With an Experienced Family Law Attorney

Filing for divorce in Nebraska often involves a lot of complex processes. Trying to establish a fair divorce settlement and spousal support agreement with your ex-spouse can make the whole process even more complicated. Therefore, when thinking about filing for divorce, you must speak with our experienced family law attorneys for proper guidance and to explore your available options.

For more than 45 years, our attorneys have devoted their careers to offering outstanding legal services and guiding individuals and families through complex divorce issues, including establishing and modifying alimony.

Using their extensive experience, our team can help walk you through the legal processes involved in establishing or modifying alimony arrangements. Also, we will attempt to work meticulously with both spouses to help achieve a feasible spousal support agreement and settle other divorce matters peacefully and quickly.