Columbia, MD Alimony Lawyer

Knowledgeable Alimony Attorney for Clients in Columbia, Maryland

If you have been married to your spouse for a long time, you may have become accustomed to a shared income. Transitioning out of your marriage can come as a serious shock to your financial situation, especially if you need help finding proper employment. Alimony can provide you with the financial assistance you need in light of a divorce.

Obtaining alimony may require intense negotiations inside and outside of the courtroom. At DM Family Law, we can represent you in a petition for alimony, building a case based on your financial needs. Attorney David Marquardt has over 20 years of family law experience, and in that time, he has distinguished himself through his strong representation and his commitment to integrity. When you work with Attorney Marquardt, you will receive individualized legal services to help resolve your alimony concerns.

How Can I Get Alimony in Maryland?

There are two ways to obtain alimony in Maryland. The first method involves requesting it directly from your spouse through negotiation or mediation.

Sometimes, divorcing couples are able to work out alimony agreements that satisfy both parties, like sacrificing a larger portion of marital property in exchange for an award of alimony. In other cases, one spouse may pay alimony to the other as part of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. When negotiating for alimony in a settlement, couples have the discretion to decide how long alimony should last and how much should be paid.

The second method involves petitioning a judge for an alimony award. In order to obtain alimony through a court order, you must request it while the divorce proceedings are ongoing. The judge will consider different factors, including:

• Each spouse's financial resources
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The total length of the marriage
• Each spouse's contributions (financial or otherwise) to the marriage
• The circumstances that led to the divorce
• Any pre-existing marital agreements between the spouses
• Each spouse's age and health
• The ability of the spouse requesting alimony to support themselves

Types of Alimony in Maryland

If the judge determines that an award of alimony is appropriate, they can decide how long it will last based on the factors mentioned above. Alimony pendente lite is a short-term form of financial support that ends when the divorce is finalized.

Rehabilitative alimony can be awarded to a spouse until they become self-supporting, usually within a set timeframe.

A judge may also award indefinite alimony in rare circumstances when the spouse is unlikely or completely incapable of becoming self-supporting.

Modifying or Enforcing an Alimony Award in Maryland

To modify an alimony award in Maryland, you must show that there has been a significant change in circumstances. For example, if you are paying alimony and your spouse receives a substantial pay raise, you could request a reduction to the regular payments. If your spouse remarries, alimony will be terminated immediately.

A court order of alimony is legally enforceable. This means that if your spouse refuses to pay the alimony that you are owed, you can take legal action to make your spouse comply. This could involve withholding your spouse's income to recover the payments, or threatening them with contempt of court. If you want to modify or enforce a court order of alimony, be sure to seek legal representation before going to a judge.

Contact a Columbia, MD Alimony Attorney

Alimony is sometimes a necessity in a divorce to ensure a fair and equitable outcome. At DM Family Law, we represent spouses who need help obtaining alimony or who are looking to contest an alimony award. To schedule a complimentary consultation, call our offices at 443-545-8100 or contact our Columbia, MD spousal support lawyer.