Getting a divorce? Wondering if spousal maintenance will be awarded in your case? There are a lot of factors at play when it comes to determining if alimony will be granted as part of a divorce decree in the state of Washington. But did you know that education can be one of those factors?
How education can affect alimony
During marriage, if you supported your spouse while he or she was going through school, then you may receive some level of compensation in the divorce for your contribution. Alternatively, if your marriage is ending and you need to go to school to achieve a higher education level in order to become financially self-sufficient, then maintenance may be awarded to you to fund your education — at least temporarily.
However, if you and your spouse both already have sufficient education and are capable of being financially independent at the time of divorce, then a maintenance request may not be approved based on education alone.
How alimony amounts are determined
How much a maintenance order is written for and the duration of the order varies per couple. There is no set standard. Spouses will have the ability to negotiate their alimony terms together or, if it necessary, allow a judge to decide what seems fair.
Spousal maintenance is typically a temporary aspect of divorce. It is granted when a couple has been married for a certain length of time and there is sufficient evidence to prove alimony would be beneficial to the requesting party. However, every divorce is different and the unique factors involved in each case directly influence whether alimony payments are on the table or not.
If you want to learn more about how spousal support works in Washington and determine if it may apply to your divorce, schedule a consultation with a qualified family law attorney.