Alimony

Financial Support for Spouses after Divorce

Alimony is one of the most contentious issues you must face during a divorce. For some, it is necessary support for people who sacrificed a career for their spouse. It is important to ensure it reflects the true financial need of a dependent spouse. Courts increasingly view alimony, also called spousal maintenance, as temporary support that helps spouses only until they become financially independent.

To learn more about alimony, and the divorce process, contact a lawyer at the Law Offices of Gerald M. Gallant, located in Southern Connecticut, to set up a free initial consultation.

We encourage spouses to work towards an amicable resolution of alimony disputes. In many cases, the parties may want to consider property division, instead of alimony, as a means to support a dependent spouse.

Types of Alimony

Connecticut law provides a variety of different forms of alimony. Attorney Gerald M. Gallant will advise you about the availability of:

• Lump Sum Alimony: This form of alimony is not modifiable no matter what future events occur.
• Periodic Alimony: This form of support provides a spouse monthly financial assistance. Upon showing of a substantial change in circumstances, it is modifiable by motion of one of the parties.
• Alimony Pendente Lite: The court awards this type of alimony during the divorce proceeding in order for a spouse to proceed with the litigation.

Determination of Alimony

The court has broad discretion when awarding alimony. Connecticut has a list of statutorily defined factors that the court may consider in its determination. Some examples of the factors the court considers include the length of marriage, financial ability to pay, financial need, employability, occupation, education, age, and health.

We will guide you through the entire alimony and divorce process, making sure you understand the tax implications of your decisions. To schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Gerald M. Gallant. Our firm represents people throughout Southern Connecticut, including people in Shelton, Bridgeport, New Haven, Danbury, Waterbury, Stratford, Trumbull, West Haven, East Haven, Fairfield, Orange, Woodbridge, Hamden, Naugatuck, Ansonia, Derbv, Seymour, Oxford, Monroe, Wallingford, Fairfield County, New Haven County, and throughout the Naugatuck Valley.