Queens, New York Alimony Lawyers
Serving Clients Throughout New York City
In New York State, spousal maintenance is the money one spouse must pay the other for support during or after a divorce. For many years, spousal maintenance was referred to as alimony, a term still in everyday use; spousal maintenance is also known as spousal support.
Whatever you call it, spousal maintenance can become an issue that requires an experienced family law attorney. You may have shouldered the support of your family during the marriage, only to find that your lower-earning spouse expects continuing support after divorce. Or you may have sacrificed your own career to care for your family, allowing your spouse to advance at work while you stayed home. This means you will need financial help to make ends meet while seeking financial independence after the divorce.
Whether you expect to pay spousal maintenance or need to receive it, this issue must be addressed through the courts. At Law Offices of Andreas Vasilatos, we work hard to protect your rights and best interests no matter what side of the equation you are on.
Connect with Law Offices of Andreas Vasilatos online or at (855) 773-1166 to schedule a consultation with a Queens, New York alimony attorney.
Types of Alimony in New York
In New York, two types of spousal maintenance are available: temporary maintenance, sometimes referred to as alimony pendent lite, and post-divorce maintenance. As the name suggests, temporary maintenance is intended to award a lower-earning spouse the support they need while a divorce is pending.
Post-divorce maintenance may be for a specific period (durational) or the recipient’s lifetime (non-durational). Even non-durational maintenance may terminate, however. Maintenance must terminate if the court receives proof of the recipient’s remarriage. The court may also decide to terminate maintenance if the recipient lives with a romantic partner as they would with a spouse.
Spouses can agree on an award of temporary or post-divorce maintenance or leave the issue to a court to decide. A somewhat complex formula determines temporary maintenance; our experienced New York matrimonial attorneys can work for a correct and fair application of the formula in your case.
The duration of post-divorce maintenance is often calculated according to the following guidelines:
- For marriages that lasted for up to 15 years, maintenance should continue for 15-30% of the length of the marriage;
- For marriages that lasted for 15-20 years, maintenance should continue for 30-40% of the length of the marriage;
- For marriages that lasted more than 20 years, maintenance should continue for 35-50% of the length of the marriage.
How New York Courts Determine Alimony
New York courts consider numerous factors in deciding how much post-divorce maintenance to award, including each spouse’s income; the age and health of each spouse; each spouse’s property; the ability of the spouse seeking maintenance to become self-supporting, and any training or education required; whether child support has been awarded in the case; and more.
Because the determination depends mainly on the factors the court considers, a skilled attorney can help to provide the court with evidence that strongly supports your position on the issue of spousal maintenance.
Championing Your Case, Empowering Your Future Why Choose Law Offices of Andreas Vasilatos?
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Compassionate AdvocacyWe provide empathetic support throughout your family law journey, ensuring you feel understood and supported.
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Tailored Legal StrategiesWe craft personalized legal approaches that align with your unique needs and goals, maximizing outcomes through negotiation or litigation.
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Extensive Experience and ExpertiseSpecializing solely in family law, our attorneys offer deep expertise and up-to-date knowledge, delivering meticulous preparation and dedicated advocacy.
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Client-Centered ApproachWe prioritize personalized service and accessibility, ensuring you're informed and confident in our strategic representation.
Put a Seasoned Attorney on Your Side in Alimony Cases
Because most matrimonial law cases settle out of court, many attorneys concentrating exclusively on family law have little courtroom experience. At Law Offices of Andreas Vasilatos, we are different.
Founding attorney Andreas Vasilatos and his team have extensive litigation experience and have represented clients in various complex spousal maintenance cases, including those involving high-net-worth couples, prenuptial agreements, and requests to modify or terminate maintenance.
Reserve your appointment for a consultation with a Queens alimony lawyer by contacting us at (855) 773-1166 today.
