Alimony (spousal maintenance) can significantly impact your financial future for years after divorce. Whether you're seeking support or defending against excessive demands, our experienced attorneys fight for fair and reasonable outcomes based on New York law and your specific circumstances.
Current earnings and property of both parties
Longer marriages often mean longer support
Physical ability to work and earn
Education, skills, and employment prospects
Gather tax returns, pay stubs, and expense records
Document marital standard of living
Project reasonable future expenses
Develop realistic goals and alternatives
Present compelling case if settlement fails
Alimony negotiations require careful strategy and thorough preparation. Our attorneys understand both sides of alimony disputes and use this knowledge to achieve favorable outcomes, whether through negotiation or litigation. We fight to ensure support orders are fair, reasonable, and sustainable.
Duration depends on marriage length. For marriages under 15 years, typically 15-30% of the marriage duration. For 20+ year marriages, it could be 35-50% of the marriage length or potentially permanent.
Yes, alimony can be modified upon showing substantial change in circumstances such as job loss, retirement, health issues, or the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation.
New York uses statutory formulas considering both parties' incomes up to $203,000. For income above the cap or when deviating from guidelines, courts consider 20+ factors including standard of living and future earning capacity.
While you may not avoid it entirely, you can minimize it through strategic negotiation, proving short marriage duration, demonstrating spouse's earning capacity, or negotiating lump-sum buyouts or property offsets.
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