Northern Virginia Family Law Attorney Concentrates on Alimony for Non-Working Spouses

Arlington, Virginia Divorce Law Firm Experienced in Alimony Issues

Alimony is payment made by one party to the other after the divorce, either by court order or by mutual agreement. This type of post-divorce payment is also sometimes referred to as maintenance. Until 1980, there were no provisions under Virginia law for alimony. The Divorce Code of 1980 provides that the court may allow alimony to either party “only if it finds that alimony is necessary.”

Under Virginia law, married couples are financially responsible for each other: the husband has a duty to support his wife, and the wife has a duty to support her husband. This duty lasts until the final decree in divorce is granted. In various circumstances such as lengthy marriages, a non-working spouse, disability, or large disparities in income, the court may grant financial support to the spouse in need. For example, if one spouse has been a stay-at-home parent and the other has a successful career, the working spouse may be required to pay alimony to the non-working spouse.

Types of Alimony

Virginia courts may grant “pendente lite” alimony during divorce litigation – they may grant “defined duration” (temporary rehabilitative) alimony, or permanent alimony, which lasts until it is terminated by death, remarriage, or a court finding of cohabitation. Sometimes alimony is modifiable by a court later on, sometimes it is not.

Contact an Experienced Virginia Divorce Attorney Today

Virginia family law attorney Claudia Zucker has over two decades of experience dealing with alimony issues, particularly for non-working spouses. Contact the Law Offices of Claudia Zucker online or call (703) 596-1005 to arrange your initial case evaluation today.