Going through a divorce is hard enough without having to sift through endless amounts of misinformation online. While the internet can be an incredibly helpful resource for people who want to educate themselves about issues surrounding a divorce, it can be almost impossible to separate fact from fiction. Alimony in Georgia has its own unique laws and can differ significantly from what other states require. That’s why the family law experts at Oxendine Law have taken some time to debunk a few of the more persistent myths about alimony payments.

Myth #1: Alimony Payments Will Be Half The Paying Spouse’s Salary

While it’s true that alimony is put in place to assist the spouse who earns less following a divorce, that doesn’t mean that alimony payments will be designed to equalize the incomes of both parties. Alimony will ultimately be based on the financial needs of the party receiving it, and the ability of the other party to pay. The amount of money paid through alimony is determined by the court based on several criteria including the pre-divorce standard of living, the length of the marriage, and both spouse’s age and wellbeing.

Myth #2: I Can Get Out Of Paying Alimony If I Quit My Job

In some cases, alimony can be modified (or temporarily paused) if the paying spouse experiences an involuntary change to their income like being fired or laid off. However, this is not the case in instances where this reduction in earnings is voluntary. Additionally, if the judge thinks that a spouse is purposely manipulating their income to affect alimony payments, there could be legal repercussions.

Myth #3: Alimony Can Only Be Paid By Men To Women

While this old and dated notion can persist with some people, it is simply false. Alimony is based on the respective income and financial status of both spouses, regardless of their gender. It is common for men to receive alimony from an ex-wife.

Hopefully, you found this information helpful and informative. If you have any questions pertaining to alimony payments or any other family law matter, please don’t hesitate to contact Oxendine Law at (770) 497-8688. We are available to meet in person, over the phone, or by video conference. You can also follow along with us on Facebook and Instagram for additional family law tips, news, and more helpful information.