Rhode Island Alimony Lawyer

In Rhode Island, alimony or spousal support is designed to provide support for your spouse for a reasonable length of time so the recipient has the opportunity to become financially independent and self-sufficient.

Alimony is an important aspect of a divorce settlement agreement and is often times one of the most contentious points of disagreement. If the parties cannot come to a resolution, a judge will make the final decision on the appropriate amount of alimony. The judge’s decision will be based on several factors including:

  • The length of the marriage
  • ​​The conduct of the parties during the marriage
  • The health, age, station, occupation, amount and source of income, vocational skills, and employability of the parties
  • ​The state and the liabilities and needs of each of the parties.
  • Whether the party is the primary physical custodian of a child whose age, condition, or circumstances make it appropriate that the parent not seek employment outside the home, or seek only part-time or flexible-hour employment outside the home​
  • Whether the party took on homemaking responsibilities to the extent to which any education, skills, or experience of that party have become outmoded and his or her earning capacity diminished
  • ​The time and expense required for the supported spouse to acquire the appropriate education or training to develop marketable skills and find appropriate employment
  • ​The probability, given a party’s age and skills, of completing education or training and becoming self-supporting
  • The standard of living during the marriage
  • The opportunity of either party for future acquisition of capital assets and income
  • ​The ability to pay of the supporting spouse, taking into account the supporting spouse’s earning capacity, earned and unearned income, assets, debts, and standard of living

​If you and your spouse are heading for divorce, but you have questions on alimony or you cannot come to an agreement on alimony with your spouse, contact the Rhode Island Alimony Lawyers at Abilheira Law, 401-245-5100.