New York Spousal Support Attorneys

Dedicated Alimony Lawyers in New York City

When a marriage ends and divorce is the chosen path, it becomes necessary to seek knowledgeable and dedicated legal representation so each party can leave the union to start rebuilding their lives.

Whether you are seeking alimony or being asked to pay it, the New York spousal support attorneys at Eiges & Orgel, PLLC can press forward for your interests to pursue the financial resolution you want.

Our reputation for being aggressive and not willing to back down makes us extremely effective during negotiations and in court. With over 60 years of collective experience, our New York alimony attorneys also know that the best strategy to overcome this trying time is to work closely with your spouse's attorney to facilitate the process and fight for a fair resolution. We are proud to serve clients throughout New York City, and are happy to fight for your best interests.

Learn more about your rights in a consultation — call (347) 848-1850 or contact us online to speak with an experienced New York spousal support lawyer today!

What is Spousal Support?

Spousal support, also known as spousal maintenance or alimony, is one of the most difficult elements to assess when finalizing a divorce. It is the monetary payment from one spouse to the other. (This is different from a palimony agreement.) These payments help to ensure that both parties are able to maintain a lifestyle that is similar to the one they had while married.

In New York, there are four types of alimony:

• Temporary maintenance: Also referred to as “pendente lite” maintenance, the spouse with the higher salary will pay this to the spouse with the lower salary until the divorce is finalized. It is meant to act as immediate but temporary financial aid.
• Permanent alimony: This type of support entails giving payment to one's former spouse for an indefinite period of time, or until financial changes arise. Its purpose is to provide financial support for basic needs, such as housing and food.
• Rehabilitative alimony: A temporary form of monetary support given until the spouse in need regains financial stability. This would help a spouse support themselves while getting an education or starting a new career.
• Restitution alimony: A temporary form of repayment for having given financial support to one spouse for the duration of their vocational education and training. Whether it is a contested or uncontested divorce is a key point of concern. It will determine the financial lifestyle for both parties.

When Is Alimony Awarded In a New York Divorce?

Spousal support is not intended to punish one spouse, nor is it intended to reward the other. The court may decide to award alimony payments if it believes that one party would be at a disadvantage without it.

It is not uncommon for one spouse to contribute to the marriage in non-financial ways (i.e., taking care of the home and/or raising the children), and the court recognizes this. Through an assessment of a couple’s unique situation, the court will decide on an appropriate duration and amount of spousal maintenance.