Although the concept of alimony has been around for decades, it has evolved along with society and there remain many misconceptions about the concept as a whole. While some believe that alimony is only a consideration for couples in “traditional” marriages where one spouse worked and the other stayed home to raise a family, this is far from the case. Anyone going through or preparing for divorce proceedings should fully understand alimony payments and what they’re legally entitled to (or liable to owe). That’s why the family law experts here at Oxendine Law wanted to share some important facts about alimony in Georgia.

Alimony Is Rarely Permanent

Although in some cases the court may order permanent alimony payments, this is rare. Typically, alimony is awarded to help afford one spouse temporary financial support following their divorce to allow that spouse to establish financial independence, whether that means obtaining employment or maybe even going back to school. Alimony is designed to allow the receiving spouse time to acquire job training or education that will aid in their future financial stability. In Georgia, truly permanent alimony is typically reserved for spouses who are unable to support themselves due to advanced age or disability and is rare even in those circumstances.

Marital Fault May Factor Into Alimony Rulings

In Georgia, the court is entitled to consider marital fault when determining whether or not to award a spouse with alimony payments. This means that in the case of an at-fault divorce, a court can rule that the at-fault party is barred from receiving alimony payments. That scenario is limited to an at-fault divorce when one spouse’s infidelity and behavior in the marriage was the cause of the breakup of the marriage.

Is alimony modifiable?

In most cases, alimony can be subsequently modified by either party under certain specific circumstances. If the paying spouse suffers an involuntary loss of income, he or she may petition for a modification. Also, if the receiving spouse remarries, or begins cohabitating with a romantic partner, the paying spouse may seek a modification to eliminate the payments.

We hope our readers found these facts helpful and educational. Although it helps to put in the time to learn about these family law matters, there is no better resource than having an experienced family law professional on your side. For more information, contact Oxendine Law at (770) 497-8688 today to schedule a meeting in-person, over the phone, or by video conference. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for additional family law tips, news, and more helpful information.