Spousal Maintenance
Alimony Lawyer Serving the Western Chicago Suburbs
In Illinois, spousal maintenance (also known as alimony) is awarded in long-term marriages when one of the parties has a financial need and the other party can afford to pay. Both temporary and permanent spousal maintenance is available depending on the circumstances of your situation.
Will I receive spousal maintenance? How is the amount determined?
As a divorce lawyer with more than 28 years of family law experience in the western Chicago suburbs, I can help you understand when the courts will award alimony and how the amount is determined.
I offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
How Spousal Maintenance Is Decided
- Courts will usually award temporary maintenance while the divorce is in progress if one of the parties does not have adequate financial resources. There are no guidelines for maintenance.
- In Illinois, courts may order rehabilitative spousal maintenance to a spouse who needs additional training or education in order to support him or herself. Rehabilitative maintenance or alimony may continue for a period of several years.
- Permanent spousal maintenance is typically only awarded in marriages that have lasted 15 years or longer and where one party has been financially dependent upon the other.
- There is no formula for determining the amount of permanent spousal maintenance. The court will consider the parties needs and ability to pay.
- Maintenance is modifiable when there is a change in circumstances, it terminates upon the remarriage or cohabitation of the recipient.
Free Consultation With an Experienced Lawyer
For a free initial consultation about your spousal maintenance case, contact me, attorney Terry Fawell. From my office in Wheaton, I serve clients in DuPage, Kane and Will counties.
