How can Goldman & Rosenthal Attorneys At Law Help You Avoid Paying too much in Spousal Support?

There is simply no way to avoid the fact that, for most people, the process of divorce is highly emotional and even traumatic. Unfortunately, there are a number of decisions that must be made and actions taken during this process. If emotion is allowed to override the practical realities of these decisions and actions, the results can have lifetime negative consequences.

Getting the Facts and Taking Precautions

Because of these realities, divorce is a legal process that requires rational planning and reasoned decisions. While it may be very difficult for an individual to take this disciplined approach, having the right legal advisers is of great value.

Lawyers such as those at Goldman & Rosenthal Attorneys have dealt with many different divorce cases and understand the issues involved with fair and equitable settlements.

These items will include many financial topics, such as:

  • Child custody and support
  • Property divisions
  • Alimony and spousal support

 

The decisions made in each of these cases will impact monthly financial commitments for months and years to come, even into the retirement years. Moreover, once the final divorce decree is entered, it is expensive to make any attempts to adjust those commitments and payments.

The Role of Spousal Support

While most people have heard the term alimony, few understand the role of spousal support. While the terms are interchangeable in most states, the reality is that neither alimony nor spousal support is automatic or required with every divorce.

The concept behind spousal support is to provide a financial bridge that allows one spouse to both maintain a certain standard of living and develop the training and resources necessary to support themselves. Most often, these payments are made by the primary wage-earner to the spouse who was unemployed or underemployed during the marriage.

While many states have formulas that form the basis for the amount of spousal support to be paid, Ohio does not. In Ohio, the amount ordered to be paid is a subjective issue determined by the judge following the presentation and consideration of extensive evidence.

Determining the spousal support number is very important to both parties. The paying party may be required to pay an amount for 20 years or more. Even if the term of payment is shorter, a difference of $200 or $300 a month can mean tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in total payments.

The firm of Goldman & Rosenthal can help with all aspects of a divorce, with a special focus on the financial implications of the decisions made.