In the eyes of the court, both parties should be able to continue to sustain their lives after a divorce. For this reason, one party may need to continue to provide financial support for the other in the form of alimony.
Whether you are giving or receiving alimony, it is important to understand how it works. A good place to start is knowing how courts calculate alimony payments.
Calculator
There is no set calculation that the courts require judges to use. However, many judges do utilize a calculation program that weighs various factors and scores them on a scale that can reach up to 100. Those judges who do use this calculation system do not depend solely on it but rather utilize it as a base to build their payment decision upon.
Additional factors
Though the calculator accounts for some factors, there are a number of different aspects that a court may consider in deciding reasonable alimony payments. Michigan statute 552.23 denotes the court’s ability to designate alimony, and it states a few of the factors that the courts consider in their determination. Some of the most common considerations include:
- Length of the marriage
- Standard of living
- Needs of each spouse
- Spouse health and age
- Contribution to reason for divorcing
The judge considers these and other factors in making a final determination. Whatever side individuals find themselves on, it is important for them to provide evidence to support the standard of life they desire to lead after the divorce.
Modifications
In the case that the individual paying alimony remarries, the ex-spouse no longer has to pay alimony. There are other instances where modifications may occur, such as the individual paying alimony losing a job. Whenever significant events happen in the lives of individuals, it may be beneficial to re-visit the agreement terms.
As you can see, calculating alimony is an in-depth process. To aid in your case, it may be helpful to work with a knowledgeable attorney to ensure that what you give or receive is fair and beneficial.