What is Alimony?
Alimony is a legal obligation to provide financial support to your former spouse after your divorce. In most cases, this financial support is paid by the higher-earning spouse to the lower-earning spouse, and it is intended to help the lower-earning spouse maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage.
Can A Spouse Still Get Alimony If She Committed Adultery?
The answer to this question is a little more complicated than you might think.
Generally speaking, adultery can be used as grounds for divorce in most states. This means that if your spouse cheats on you, you can file for divorce on the grounds of adultery. In most cases, courts will refuse to award alimony to the adulterous spouse.
Although adultery does not affect how marital property will be distributed, it will often affect whether the adulterous spouse will be entitled to alimony
Also, if you are the financially disadvantaged spouse, because you were the homemaker during the marriage, which enabled your spouse to advance in their career, you can be awarded attorneys’ fees and costs as alimony so that your spouse is not at an advantage against you during the divorce proceedings
If you are considering filing for divorce based on adultery, it is important to speak with an experienced family law attorney in Nashville who can help you understand your choices.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
If you are considering divorce and need help determining whether or not you can receive alimony, contact a family law attorney. An experienced lawyer will be able to review the facts of your case and advise you on your options. You may also wish to consult with an accountant or financial planner to get a better understanding of how alimony could impact your financial situation.
Alimony is typically awarded when one spouse is unable to support themselves after divorce or to financially provide for the financially disadvantaged spouse for a limited period of time so that they can obtain education and skills to help increase their earning capacity after the marriage. However, adultery can be used as grounds for denying or terminating alimony payments under certain situations. If you have been accused of cheating, it is important to speak with an attorney immediately so that they can begin building a defense on your behalf. A knowledgeable alimony lawyer in Nashville will be able to assess the evidence in your favor and get you the results you need.
What Should I Do Next?
Adultery can be a difficult thing to deal with, both emotionally and legally. Our team of Nashville divorce attorneys are here to support you through this process and help ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you. For a free consultation, reach out to our law firm at 615-970-6448.