…He says I don’t get anything! She says I get nothing!
The Kronzek Firm
Within many relationships, there is an imbalance between spousal incomes. Sometimes, one partner makes all the money, and the other one has never worked outside of the home. These differences in income can create problems when a couple decides to divorce. This is especially true for those who have kids, because both parents want to support their children. But under Michigan law, money earned by either of the spouses during the marriage is considered marital income in most cases.
Child Support v. Spousal Support
Most Lansing area parents have heard of child support payments. Many know that child support is ordered through the courts, subject to specific criteria outlined by the Michigan’s Child Support Formula.
However, spousal support is different. Not all spouses are entitled to it, and there is no fancy formula to determine it. We recently published another article about spousal support in Michigan on our other website.
How is Spousal Support Determined?
First and foremost, judges determine spousal support (unless you and your spouse agree on something on your own!)
When a judge makes a decision on spousal support, the core objective is fairness. A judge will look into the length of a marriage, the ability for each spouse to work, who the spouses have to support after the marriage dissolution, and other factors. The judge will consider the behavior of the parties and will look at the overall financial picture of the couple.
Again, there is no special formula to determine whether someone gets spousal support and how much they might get from their ex when a divorce is finalized. However, a Michigan judge must consider 14 factors when they consider a request for spousal support (which used to be called alimony).
Here are the 14 factors that are considered:
- Past relations and conduct of the couple
- The length of the marriage;
- The individual ability to work
- The amount and source of property
- Each person’s age
- Each person’s ability to pay spousal support
- The current situation of each party
- The needs of each person
- Each person’s health
- The past standard of living enjoyed by each person before marriage
- Each person’s financial contribution to the whole
- Whose fault it was in the divorce
- The way in which living together affects the relationship
- General practices of fairness and equity
Who Can Help Me Get Spousal Support?
The Kronzek Firm’s attorneys can help you advocate for spousal support and handle all types of family law matters. To set up your free consultation today, call 866 766 5245! We’ve been handling alimony cases for decades in Ingham County, Eaton County, Lansing, Clinton County, Jackson County and Livingston County.