Montgomery County Men’s Alimony Lawyers Protecting Your Rights
If you are a husband in Maryland, it is essential to discuss your request for alimony with an attorney as soon as possible. If you do not request maintenance before the divorce is finalized, then there is a chance that you have missed the right to obtain alimony forever.
Do men get a fair shake when it comes to paying alimony? The answer is “no,” and the reason will surprise you. Of all the alimony awards, only 3% are granted to men, and these statistics prove that there is gender bias. Gender bias affects the outcome of the alimony in almost every case. At Paré & Associates, we will analyze all the considerations that are taken by the judge in determining the alimony and counteract the built-in gender bias with our proven methods for protecting the rights of men. Let our Maryland alimony attorney for men assist you. Contact our office at (301) 962-2492 for your consultation today.
What Are the Types of Alimony in Maryland?
When a couple applies for divorce and is accepted by the court, then the judge generally orders alimony to be paid by one spouse to the other. Alimony is referred to as periodic payments made by one spouse to the other to meet his or her living and financial needs. The main idea behind alimony is to preserve the financial situation of both the parties as it was during the marriage.
There are mainly three types of Alimony in Maryland: Pendente Lite, Rehabilitative, and Indefinite Alimony. Each has its purpose and requirements, and not all are appropriate in every case. An experienced men’s divorce attorney in Montgomery County, MD, can help to determine the type of alimony and support that would be helpful to fulfill your needs.
Types of Alimony in Maryland:
- Alimony Pendente Lite: Pendente Lite alimony is temporary and is awarded during the course of a divorce case. This type of payment is granted for the spouse to maintain the same standard of living while the divorce is pending. The spouse who is the bread earner is supposed to make the payment to the other spouse.
- Indefinite Alimony: Indefinite Alimony is most uncommon because there is no end date to the payments. In case of a lengthy marriage, or in a situation where one spouse is not in a condition to support himself/herself due to their age or health conditions, then the judge can order Indefinite Alimony. The judge can also order permanent alimony in the cases where one spouse’s income is very high and a difference in the standard of living after a divorce is unconscionably disparate.
- Rehabilitative Alimony: This type of Alimony is awarded to the spouse for taking care of studies or help in finding a job or becoming financially stable. Rehabilitative alimony has a time period, and in most cases, it lasts for less than ten years.
Who is Entitled to Alimony?
According to the laws of Maryland State, both husband and wife are equal and are eligible for alimony. The decision is made by the court and is based on certain factors. The lawyers also review the same factors if both parties are ready to negotiate outside the court and award the same alimony that would be granted by the court.
The court looks into several factors for determining alimony. The factors that are included but not limited to:
- The ability of each party to support themselves
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The time necessary for a party to seek training or education to gain employment and become self-supporting.
- The time period of the marriage
- Age of both the parties
- Mental and Physical condition of both parties
- The ability of one party to support themselves after paying alimony
- Prenuptial or Postnuptial agreements made between the parties
- Income and Resources of each party and their financial needs
- Financial Obligations, retirement benefits, and medical assistance considerations of both parties.
- The court may also rely on other factors or conditions that might be appropriate to award alimony to the party.
Just because you or your soon-to-be-ex-spouse meets one of the eligibility requirements does not automatically mean that the court will enter an alimony award. Some cases are more cut and dried than others. Alimony can be awarded by the court based on the facts of the case and as a part of an action for annulment or divorce. The maintenance can be granted while litigation is pending or at the time of the final divorce. To seek alimony, it is not necessary for the party to have grounds for divorce. If both the parties have made an agreement relating to the alimony, the court will bind to that and may not modify it if it is mentioned as “not modifiable by any court.” However, the alimony orders given by courts are always modifiable. Our alimony attorneys know how to get the best benefits for men in alimony cases, whether original orders or modifications.
Do I Need a Men’s Alimony Lawyer?
Men are at a real disadvantage in alimony proceedings due to the gender bias of the courts. Again, only 3% of all the alimony awards are granted to men, though many women earn more than their spouses. Paré & Associates, LLC is a family law firm filled with experienced men’s alimony lawyers who have successfully negotiated the best arrangement possible for hundreds of men seeking alimony or hoping to avoid paying it. If you are facing a divorce proceeding and want to ensure you don’t have to change your current lifestyle, contact our office at (301) 962-2492 for your consultation today.