Moving from a two-income household to a one-income household can be stressful. And it can be even more worrisome when one spouse didn’t work during the marriage and now has to determine how to continue to support themselves and their children following a divorce. That’s where alimony, or spousal maintenance, comes in. This delicate financial issue is compassionately addressed at the family law office of Paula J. Burnstein, P.C. We evaluate your situation and ensure that your alimony amount is reasonable and fair under Arizona family law.
Although we typically refer to this as alimony, the courts call spousal maintenance the payment plan through which one spouse supports the other following the dissolution of a marriage. This arrangement is designed to provide temporary relief for a spouse with a lower income, and it usually lasts anywhere from 3 to 12 years, depending on the situation. Most of the time, the court does not suggest alimony for unions that lasted less than three years. On the other side, marriages with a duration of longer than 20 years may be eligible for indefinite support if the spouse making the payments can afford it.
Spousal support amounts vary from case to case, and in Arizona, the court will calculate the amount based on:
Not only is Paula an experienced family law attorney with 20 years in practice, she also has a master’s degree in counseling. She is compassionate and understanding about the topic of alimony, and she wants to come to a resolution that is fair to both parties. She can help you determine your initial alimony agreement during divorce proceedings, and she can make adjustments should situations change after the arrangement has been finalized.
Contact the Phoenix family law office of Paula J. Burnstein, P.C. to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation. During our conversation, we’ll learn more about you and begin to educate you on the alimony process. We can assist clients throughout the Maricopa County and greater Phoenix area.
Paula J. Burnstein is experienced in family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, and property division. She has practiced solely in the area of family law for the past two decades and has the knowledge to serve your needs, both outside of and in the courtroom. She will help you work through your family law situation while protecting your interests and those of your family.
She offers a free 15 minutes alimony consultation by phone.
Paula J. Burnstein, P.C.
11811 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 3031
Phoenix, Arizona 85028