Once you have come to rely on two incomes, or in some cases one income, it can be scary to think about how you will be able to financially support yourself after a divorce.
For example, if your spouse is the primary breadwinner of the house, even if you are employed, chances are you would not be able to maintain your lifestyle with only your income.
Speaking with a family divorce attorney to learn about the Oklahoma alimony process in greater detail is an important step in the divorce process. Having your marriage fall apart can be heartbreaking, knowing how much alimony to expect and for how long allows you to better heal and plan your future.
Types of Oklahoma Alimony
Before discussing the length of Oklahoma alimony payments, it is important to understand the concept as a whole. There are two types of alimony payments: temporary and permanent.
Temporary alimony occurs right after a separation. At the first hearing for your divorce proceeding, your Tulsa divorce attorney can request temporary alimony in order to maintain your current lifestyle, maintain the status quo during the divorce, provide payment for shared bills and assets, and provide for children in your care.
Temporary support ends as soon as the divorce is final. Permanent support is ordered at that time. Oklahoma alimony can be paid in one lump sum or installments. Additionally, alimony can be paid by the judge assigning certain assets — either real or personal property.
The judge will set an end date to the alimony payments, so all parties are on notice.
How Oklahoma Alimony is Calculated
Money judgements for Oklahoma alimony are the most common, and are also known as spousal maintenance. However, the judge decides the type of payments, the amount, and the manner in which alimony is paid.
Your Tulsa divorce attorney will argue on your behalf your need for continued support, one of the elements courts consider when awarding alimony.
In addition, the judge considers each spouse’s financial circumstances, the needs of the supported spouse, the ability for the supported spouse to be self-supporting, and the supporting spouse’s ability to make alimony payments.
Length of Support
Temporary support terminates as soon as the divorce is final. Then, maintenance support — or permanent alimony — begins.
Your Tulsa divorce attorney will inform you of the typical conditions that the judge takes into consideration when determining how long alimony must be paid. First, the length must be reasonable when compared to the length of the marriage.
Second, how long it will take for the supported spouse to become self-supporting. A Tulsa divorce attorney will be able to present evidence that accurately reflects your ability to be self-supporting and how long you will comfortably need to achieve that.
Although Oklahoma alimony payments are not meant to survive until the supported spouse’s death, there are arguments for long-term support that your family law attorney can make.
Regardless of the spouse’s circumstances, alimony automatically terminates when the supported spouse dies or when the supported spouse remarries — unless the spouse can show that ongoing support is needed and reasonable.
Free Consultation with a Tulsa Divorce Lawyer
As you can see, the family court judge really looks at the whole of your marriage, you and your spouse’s station in life, and both of your abilities when determining alimony. The foundation alimony is built on is fairness, which is reflected well in how the Oklahoma court system determines alimony.
Being represented by a Tulsa divorce attorney will prepare you for both your temporary and permanent alimony hearing and ensure you receive the amount you deserve.
Contact an experienced Tulsa divorce attorney when you need to go through the Oklahoma divorce process.
For a free, confidential consultation, call 918-924-5526 now.
