What Is Spousal Support (also known as Maintenance or Alimony)?
In many divorce proceedings, spousal support is a major focal point. This is particularly true when one spouse has been a stay-at-home parent and has not worked in recent years. While there are no set guidelines or requirements for spousal support in Missouri, that doesn’t mean that spouses are not entitled to seek it. It only means that a compelling case needs to be made no matter what side you are on in a maintenance case.
Be sure that you have an experienced lawyer on your side who understands the law and will fight to protect your interests. At Stange Law Firm, PC, we represent clients throughout Missouri in all types of spousal support matters. No matter which side of the case you are on, we are committed to doing everything in our power to secure the most favorable possible result on your behalf.
Building the Strongest Possible Case to Support Your Position
Spousal support, sometimes referred to as spousal maintenance or alimony, is not automatic in Missouri. The court has broad discretion to award maintenance or not award it. If the court awards maintenance, in Missouri, limited duration maintenance is seldom awarded unless the court can point to a fixed date where maintenance is not needed. This means that in most instances, the court can either award maintenance in an open-ended manner terminable upon death, remarriage, or a change of circumstance of a substantial and continuing nature or else not award it at all. This can make maintenance an all-or-nothing proposition at trial.
Parties can agree to contractual maintenance on a fixed term, but fixed terms are not likely in Missouri, absent an agreement, unless the court can point to a future, non-speculative date where maintenance is no longer needed. The issue of whether “cohabitation” terminates maintenance is complex, not automatic, and based on numerous factors.
When you hire our firm, we will present the strongest possible case for or against an alimony award based on your best interests. In many cases, we will examine whether a vocational examination would be helpful to your case.
The court looks at several factors when considering spousal support, including:
- The need of one spouse versus the other spouse’s ability to pay
- The earning capacity of each spouse
- The length of the marriage
- The age and health of the spouse seeking support
- The impact on the children
- The conduct of the parties during the marriage
In most cases, spousal support can be modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances for either spouse. Our attorneys are prepared to help you if the need for a spousal support modification arises. If you have already received an adverse spousal support order, Stange Law Firm can represent you in the filing of an appeal.
Handling Spousal Support in Clayton, Missouri
To speak to a spousal support lawyer who can help you in Clayton, MO in St. Louis, call us at 314-963-4700 or contact our law firm online.
To learn more about the St. Louis County Family Court, please visit the following links:
- St. Louis County Family Court: Any additional information regarding the St. Louis County Family Court can be found here.
- St. Louis County Local Court Rules: Wondering what all of the St. Louis County court rules may be? Click here to take a look.
- St. Louis County Courthouse Directions: Do you need directions or a map of the St. Louis County courthouse? Click on this link provided to help you out!
Contact Our Spousal Support Attorneys in Clayton, Missouri in St. Louis, Missouri
Are you looking to hire an experienced family law attorney to help you with your spousal support matter? If so, to schedule a confidential appointment with one of our attorneys contact us online.
St. Louis (Clayton), MO Office: 314-963-4700 Click here for office information 120 S. Central Ave, Suite 450, Clayton, MO 63105.
