Alimony is a form of payment that one spouse makes to the other after a divorce. Often referred to as “spousal support,” alimony is designed to help one spouse maintain financial stability after a divorce.
Alimony is not automatic, and many cases do not result in alimony. The court decides whether or not to order it on an individual, case by case basis. Here is what you should know about alimony after a CT divorce.
Alimony After CT Divorce: What You Should Know
Types of Alimony After CT Divorce
Periodic Alimony: Ongoing payments made weekly or monthly for a defined period of time or indefinitely.
Lump Sum Alimony: A fixed amount paid all at once or in installments, often used to provide certainty or resolve property issues.
Rehabilitative Alimony: Short-term support intended to help a spouse gain education, training, or work experience needed to become financially independent.
Permanent Alimony: Long-term support, typically reserved for lengthy marriages or situations involving age, illness, or limited earning capacity.
Connecticut’s statute for alimony is C.G.S. 46b – 82a. The court will rely on several factors to decide and calculate alimony payments, including:
- Length of the marriage
- Causes of the separation
- Age, health, station, occupation, amount and sources of income for each spouse,
- Earning capacity, vocational skills, education, employability, estate and needs of each of the parties.
- If the spouses have a minor child, and one parent is given custody of the child, the court will also factor in the possibility of that parent securing employment.
Despite these general factors, the alimony calculation is highly discretionary and the judge has a lot of freedom to determine the amount and duration of future alimony payments. Unlike some states, the court will not use any specific formula to determine the alimony award. If the parties cannot agree on alimony, the judge will use the above factors and make an informed decision.
As you can see, alimony in Connecticut is very discretionary. This is one reason why you should call an attorney like Lori Bartinik to represent your best interests during your family law case. The attorneys at The Bartinik Law Firm will know exactly what to do and say in order to achieve the most favorable result; one that is likely to leave you as content as possible. Contact us today at 860 – 445 – 8521.