Separating from your spouse after years of marriage is emotionally overwhelming. What can make your decision more difficult is when you are not the breadwinner of the family. You may have given up your career to assume domestic responsibilities and support your spouse. If you are not the breadwinner, you may also be concerned about your financial circumstance after the divorce. In Kentucky, the family courts may award you spousal maintenance.
What factors impact an award of spousal maintenance?
Spousal maintenance or alimony is a monetary provision the court can grant another spouse in a divorce proceeding. The goal of maintenance is to ensure that each spouse can maintain the standard of living they had when they were married even after the divorce. The court will consider these factors when determining the amount and duration of maintenance:
- The financial resources of the spouse who is requesting maintenance
- The marriage duration was long enough to have a significant impact on the lives of either spouse
- The standard of living while they were married
- The requesting spouse had forfeited their education and career for the marriage
- The time and resource the requesting spouse needs to obtain the necessary education and training to become financially independent
- The age of the spouse seeking maintenance
- The mental and physical health of the requesting spouse
As the spouse seeking maintenance, you may only receive maintenance if you have no sufficient property and you are unable to support yourself. You must provide the necessary evidence to the court showing your entitlement to alimony.
You deserve to keep the life you worked for
Assuming domestic duties is hard work. It takes a village to maintain a household, especially if you have children. You gave up your career to enable your spouse to succeed and flourish. It is only fair you get compensation for the sacrifices you made.
