Westport Alimony Lawyers

Helping Clients With Alimony Matters in Connecticut 

Alimony, or spousal support, is a complex issue that can become highly contested between parties. The courts have significant discretion to decide whether alimony should be awarded and the amount and duration of each award. Unlike child support, no hard-and-fast formula exists for calculating alimony in Connecticut. Because of this, you need an attorney who can provide an individualized approach to your unique matter. Whether you are seeking or contesting alimony in Westport, Fairfield County, or beyond, the Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin team can help.

Call Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin today at (203) 428-4476 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our alimony attorney in Westport!

What is Alimony?

Alimony is court-ordered financial support that one spouse may be required to pay to the other during or after divorce proceedings. The purpose of alimony is to address any economic disparities between the spouses, assuring both parties maintain a standard of living post-divorce. It is not a punitive measure but rather a means to address financial imbalances that may arise due to factors such as income disparity, duration of the marriage, and individual financial needs.

Alimony typically comes into play when divorcing parties earn vastly different incomes. The Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries provides a guide to this issue. This summary reports that "the generally accepted purpose of alimony is to enable a spouse disadvantaged through divorce to enjoy a standard of living commensurate with the standard of living during marriage." It also states that alimony is "money a court requires one spouse to pay the other spouse for support before and/or after the divorce is granted. If you do not ask for alimony at the final hearing, you can never get it in the future."

Who Gets Alimony in a Divorce?

The factors the courts will evaluate in determining the issue of alimony can include but are not limited to:

• The duration of the marriage
• Each party's age and health conditions
• Whether minor children are involved
• The incomes, occupations, and/or earning capacity of both parties
• The causes of the divorce
• Employability of the parties
• The needs of both parties
• What each party has contributed to the marriage

Types of Alimony in Connecticut

Connecticut recognizes various types of alimony, each designed to address specific financial circumstances. Our experienced Westport alimony lawyers at Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin can guide you through the nuances of these alimony types:

• Temporary Alimony: Awarded during divorce proceedings to provide financial support until a final settlement is reached.
• Rehabilitative Alimony: Designed to support the recipient spouse during education or training, fostering self-sufficiency.
• Permanent Alimony: Awarded in cases of substantial economic disparities, ensuring ongoing financial support for the recipient spouse.
• Lump-Sum Alimony: A one-time payment facilitates a clean break from financial ties.
• Reimbursement Alimony: Compensates one spouse for contributions made during the marriage, such as supporting the other spouse's education or career development.

Navigating the nuances of these alimony types requires a deep understanding of Connecticut family law, and our Westport alimony lawyers have the expertise to guide you through the process, ensuring the best possible outcome for your unique situation.

Alimony Modifications and Tax Considerations

Alimony is often made modifiable. It is only non-modifiable if specifically identified as such. You must file a motion with the court to modify an alimony order. Modifications must be justified and are generally based on a substantial change in life or financial circumstances. Examples of this can include a sudden change in income level, such as from the supporting spouse's job loss or a significant promotion for the recipient spouse, an injury or accident experienced by the supporting spouse, or the remarriage of the recipient spouse.

For divorces filed after January 1, 2019, supporting parties (those paying alimony) will not be eligible to take a tax deduction for alimony payments. Recipient spouses will not have to pay taxes on the payments they receive. For orders entered before January 1, 2019, this was reversed. Our team can help you navigate this significant change to the taxation of alimony.

Contact Our Westport Alimony Attorneys Today

Our well-established firm is widely respected for delivering quality legal representation. Attorneys Arnold Rutkin and Sarah Oldham coauthored "Family Law and Practice with Forms," the highly respected three-volume treatise that covers complex family law issues and spousal support laws. We bring abundant knowledge and experience to alimony and other divorce-related issues. No matter how complex or difficult, you can rely on our discretion, legal ability, and dedication to help you establish and protect your best interests if you need advice relating to an alimony case.

Contact Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin today to schedule a meeting with our alimony lawyer in Westport!