How Long is Alimony Paid?
Alimony is an aspect of Georgia divorce which is often misunderstood.
According to Georgia law, alimony is not necessary and may not be awarded in
every case.
To determine alimony in a case, a judge will look at a number
of statutory factors in order to weigh out one party's "needs" against
the other party's "ability to pay." In general, where alimony is
awarded, a longer marriage will often lead to a longer award of alimony.
Temporary vs. Permanent Alimony
It is rare that an award of alimony will continue for the
lifetime of the recipient spouse. While the terms 'Permanent Alimony' and 'Temporary Alimony' may be used in a case, they are mainly used to differentiate the types
of alimony. Temporary Alimony is the term used for alimony which is awarded while
the divorce is pending, and Permanent Alimony refers to an alimony award after
the divorce is final.
Periodic vs. Lump Sum Alimony
Periodic Alimony is the most common form of alimony, where
one party receives periodic alimony payments over a certain time period. Periodic
Alimony may be appropriate where one party requires assistance to meet their
daily needs as they learn to adjust their lifestyle following the divorce. Depending
on the case, a Periodic Alimony award will typically last for a number of years,
usually in descending increments.
In the alternative, Lump Sum Alimony awards one spouse a lump
sum cash payment. Lump Sum Alimony may be appropriate where a spouse may
receive a portion of an inheritance, retirement account(s), or equity in a home
or other real property.
Due to the nature of alimony, there is no specific formula to
determine whether alimony is appropriate and, if it is appropriate, how much alimony
will be awarded. Contact us today for a free telephone consultation to discuss
your case with one of our experienced family law attorneys.
Written by: Rebekah
Ann James