Atlanta Spousal Support Lawyer
Have you been involved in a spousal support dispute in Atlanta, Georgia? Crystal Wright Law, LLC can help when you call 404-594-2143. We offer a free consultation with an Atlanta spousal support lawyer. Whether you are seeking alimony or defending against a request, you deserve strong legal advocacy on your side.
Spousal support cases are often complex and emotional, requiring skilled representation. An experienced attorney can explain your rights, build effective strategies, and guide you toward a fair resolution. Don’t wait to get the help you need—reach out today to protect your future and move forward with confidence.
Why Should I Call Crystal Wright Law, LLC for Help Resolving Spousal Support Issues in Atlanta?
At Crystal Wright Law, LLC, we understand the serious financial and emotional challenges that come with family law matters. Over the years, our dedication to clients and the results we’ve achieved have earned us meaningful recognition in the legal community.
Here’s why clients in Atlanta, GA, trust us:
- We bring nearly a decade of experience in family law, guiding clients through complex and sensitive issues.
- We provide compassionate yet strong representation, helping clients navigate the emotional challenges of spousal support, property division, and custody negotiations.
- Our team is committed to tailoring strategies to each client’s unique situation, ensuring their goals remain at the center of every decision.
We know you’re going through a challenging time. Our Atlanta family law attorneys are prepared to help you tackle every challenge you encounter. Contact us today to learn more.
Overview of the Spousal Support Rules in Georgia
Spousal support, also known as alimony, is the money paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. Spousal support in Georgia is not automatic. Courts have the authority to award spousal support in situations where two divorcing spouses have unequal earning abilities.
The law recognizes that each spouse contributes to the marriage in their own way–and in some cases, one spouse will put their own education or career on hold to allow the other to further their opportunities.
Alimony is designed to allow both spouses to maintain their standard of living after a divorce, or as close to their standard of living as possible. Judges have significant leeway when it comes to alimony orders. They have much more discretion than they do when resolving child support issues in a divorce.
Types of Spousal Support
Several different types of alimony arrangements exist, including:
Temporary Spousal Support Orders in Georgia
After filing for divorce, there are sometimes situations where one spouse will require financial assistance while the divorce is pending. Family law judges have authority to order one spouse to pay the other alimony on a short-term basis.
Typically, temporary alimony–or pendente lite support–is provided only until the divorce is finalized. Judges may also order payments that continue for a period of time after the divorce is final, if the receiving spouse needs time to gain education or work experience.
Permanent Spousal Support Orders in Georgia
Sometimes, spousal support orders may be indefinite or open-ended. Permanent spousal support is more common when a long-term marriage ends or when the spouses are older, so that it will be more difficult for the receiving spouse to become financially self-sufficient.
Temporary Spousal Support Orders as Rehabilitative in Georgia
While the law doesn’t specifically call for rehabilitative alimony, courts may award temporary alimony as rehabilitation. For example, one spouse may have given up opportunities to help the other increase their earning capacities. The judge may find alimony appropriate to allow that spouse to increase their earning capacity.
In these cases, the requesting spouse will devise a plan for gaining financial independence through education or job training. It’s possible for courts to order periodic payments that reduce over time, as the receiving spouse becomes financially self-sufficient.
Lump Sum Spousal Support Orders in Georgia
Georgia family law judges can order the paying spouse to make periodic alimony payments or can award a lump sum.
Lump sum awards don’t carry restrictions on the receiving spouse’s ability to remarry or live with a romantic partner. They can also be attractive because they eliminate the risk that a paying spouse will fail to make their periodic alimony payments.
How Is Spousal Support Calculated in Atlanta?
It’s entirely possible that two divorcing spouses can agree on a spousal support arrangement. When spousal support is contested, the family court judge will consider the circumstances when determining how to handle the issue.
Primary Considerations
Alimony in Georgia is not subject to the equitable distribution rules that generally apply when dividing a couple’s marital property. It’s also not based on the strict guidelines that govern child support orders.
Instead, alimony is calculated based on:
- The paying spouse’s ability to pay
- The requesting spouse’s need for support
Because alimony is determined by a judge’s evaluation of each spouse’s needs and resources, every case is unique.
Other Relevant Factors
Additional factors may be relevant depending on the facts. The paying spouse’s obligation to pay child support may also be relevant.
Additional factors include:
- The standard of living the couple enjoyed during their marriage
- The duration of the marriage
- Each spouse’s age and overall health
- Each spouse’s financial resources after the couple’s marital property was divided
- The estimated amount of time that it will take the receiving spouse to obtain the education or training necessary to become self-supporting
- Each spouse’s non-financial contributions to the marriage, including household services and child-rearing
- Each spouse’s responsibilities to the minor children
In Georgia, unlike in some other states, the reason for the divorce can be important. Courts will consider whether either spouse did anything to contribute to the demise of the marriage. Courts may be more willing to award permanent alimony in cases where the paying spouse drove out the lower-earning spouse.
Why Legal Help Matters in Calculating Spousal Support
Calculating spousal support can be extremely complicated. Courts will first consider whether any spousal support award is justified. If it is, they’ll then have to determine both the appropriate payment amount and the duration of the arrangement. All of the details must be included in the final divorce order.
Having an experienced Atlanta spousal support attorney in your corner is critical. We have the tools to help you reach a favorable solution.
Our attorneys have years of experience helping families like yours. We can work toward reaching a favorable solution via mediation and discussions with your spouse and their attorneys as we work toward your goals.
How Long Do Spousal Support Payments Last After a Divorce in Georgia?
Spousal support payments can last for a few months, years, or for the recipient’s lifetime. The duration of a spousal support order depends on many different factors. Often, support obligations end when the receiving spouse becomes able to support themselves.
Spousal support can also end when:
- The receiving spouse remarries
- The receiving spouse begins cohabitating with a romantic partner
- One spouse dies
Remarriage and cohabitation are common after a divorce. After all, life moves on. Then, the paying spouse must file a petition to modify their payment obligations or terminate the spousal support arrangement early.
In these cases, it’s common for the two spouses to disagree. Termination is not automatic. When you hire our law firm, you’ll have a skilled advocate by your side every step of the way.
Can a Spousal Support Order Be Modified After Being Finalized in Georgia?
Family law courts in Georgia recognize that circumstances change over time. An existing spousal support order doesn’t have to be set in stone. Either party can request that an existing order be modified in light of new circumstances.
To obtain modification, the requesting spouse must typically demonstrate that some material change in circumstances has occurred.
For example, the court may modify an existing spousal support order if:
- The paying spouse has lost their job or suffered a negative change that impacts their ability to pay
- The recipient spouse has moved in with a romantic partner
- The recipient spouse has become self-supporting
Requests for modification aren’t automatically granted. For example, if the paying spouse quit their job or did something to reduce their ability to pay. The judge may not grant their request for reduced payments.
Experienced legal representation is critical. That’s true when you’re contesting a modification or requesting one. Your lawyer can handle the paperwork, facilitate mediation and ensure that your interests are protected at every turn.
Call an Experienced Atlanta Spousal Support Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Spousal support can be a hotly contested issue in a divorce in Atlanta, Georgia. Even in the most amicable of situations, one spouse may not be eager to continue supporting the other spouse after the divorce is finalized. In fact, spousal support is one issue that often remains contested for months or years after the final divorce order has been issued.
The best way to set yourself up for success is to hire an experienced Atlanta spousal support lawyer. At Crystal Wright Law, LLC, we put nearly a decade of legal experience to work for every client we represent. Contact our legal team today to arrange a free and confidential consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options in a divorce.
