Income Level and Future Prospects Explained

When a couple decides to get alimonytypes The courts will review each spouse's future earning potential in several ways. One way to review a divorced couple's future job prospects are by determining how much job experience they have. If a couple is young and both spouses are working, there may be a chance that no alimony is awarded.

Alimony guidelines make it difficult for financially secure spouses to receive alimony payments. A young divorced individual with a strong chance for future job opportunities and earning potential may not be viewed as someone who needs alimony payments. If an individual with those qualifications does receive alimony, it is likely to be temporary alimony to give the person a chance to get on track financially.

A divorced person's education level is viewed as a factor in one's earning potential. Even if a person does not have an extensive work history, a high level of education implies that the individual can find a good job. However, if a person has a low level of education, standard alimony guidelines may award that person alimony payments. This is because a divorced individual with a low education level is not seen as someone who has a high chance of becoming gainfully employed.

Depending on the age of the divorced individual, the court may award rehabilitative alimony. Rehabilitative alimony is awarded for a set period of time, with the understanding that the spouse receiving alimony is supposed to be working on establishing themselves financially. This can be possibly be achieved by going to school, participating in a work training program, or advancing in their career. As a person's income level and future job prospects become stronger, the chance of them receiving continuous alimony payments lessens.

If the divorced couple has drastically different income levels, alimony guidelines may allow for the spouse with the lower income to receive payments from the wealthier spouse. While the number of women making more than their husband is increasing, it is still more common for a man to earn more. Women receive the majority of alimony payments. However, whichever spouse earns more may be responsible for paying alimony. Alimony guidelines do not allow alimony to be awarded based on gender.

Reviewing a divorced couple's income and future earning potential is considered a fair way of determining whether a spouse should get alimony. Alimony guidelines try to consider all angles when awarding alimony to a divorced spouse.

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