Spousal support, also known as alimony, is determined by a judge. However, you are able to create a case for how much spousal support you should receive with the help of a divorce attorney.

Spousal Support Is Not Mandatory

You are not guaranteed spousal support regardless of where you live in the United States. Instead, the courts may choose to award you spousal support under certain circumstances. Usually, you will need to be unemployed or underemployed and you'll need to face a substantial drop in your standard of living if you can no longer enjoy your ex-spouse's support. 

Your Marriage Cannot Be Short

The shorter your marriage, the less likely it is that you will be awarded spousal support. Divorce after a short marriage tends to be much more simple and streamlined. 

Spousal Support Is Somewhat Collaborative

You and your ex-spouse will ideally come to a joint decision regarding how much spousal support you will receive. A common approach is to base spousal support on a portion of the income that your ex-spouse receives after child support is factored in with half of your income subtracted from the spousal support. 

Your Income Can Reduce or Eliminate Spousal Support

The point of spousal support is that you would otherwise not be able to support yourself. If the courts find out that you earn a substantial amount, you may not be entitled to spousal support or you may even owe alimony to your ex-spouse. 

The Courts Are Concerned With You Covering Your Expenses

If your expenses are not very high, you may not be entitled to spousal support. If you and your children live in an expensive area because you moved on behalf of your ex-spouse, this may be used as justification to ask for more spousal support.

The Courts Are Also Concerned With Your Ex-Spouse's Lifestyle

Both you and your spouse must remain somewhat close to the standard of living that you had become accustomed to. This is referred to as the standard of living established by marriage.

Because of the factors used to determine how much spousal support you will be awarded, you will need help from your attorney to gather evidence necessary to prove any facts that you assert. For example, you must provide evidence that you have very high expenses and that this warrants an increase in spousal support. But with the help of an experienced divorce lawyer, you'll be more likely to increase your spousal support.

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