If you have decided to get a divorce, and your spouse was the breadwinner in the marriage, you may wonder how you will pay your bills until you can get back on your feet. Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is a financial provision one spouse may need to pay the other after a divorce. It aims to limit unfair economic effects a divorce might cause, ensuring both parties can maintain a standard of living similar to what they had during the marriage.
Wisconsin law acknowledges the importance of alimony and offers several types to meet different circumstances.
Temporary alimony
During the divorce process, you might find yourself in need of immediate financial support. In such a case, the court can award temporary alimony. This form of alimony provides financial assistance during the divorce proceedings but ends once the court finalizes the divorce.
Short-term alimony
If the court determines that you need time to become self-sufficient, they may award short-term alimony. This type of alimony allows you to seek further education or job training to improve your employability and financial standing. Short-term alimony typically lasts only a few years, but it can depend on how long your marriage was.
Long-term alimony
In situations where you cannot become fully self-sufficient due to age, health conditions or having been out of the workforce for a significant period, the court can grant long-term alimony. This support continues for a longer duration and, sometimes, indefinitely. However, it is important to note that long-term alimony does not always last forever and could end if certain conditions change, such as remarrying or significant changes in either party’s financial circumstances.
Lump-sum alimony
Lastly, there is lump-sum alimony. Rather than receiving regular payments over a period of time, you would receive the entire alimony amount at once. This type of alimony can be beneficial if you have immediate, substantial financial needs, but it also ends your right to future payments.
The type of alimony you can receive in a Wisconsin divorce varies depending on your specific circumstances. Understanding the alimony options the court may award you can help you prepare for the financial aspects of your divorce process.