• Divorce
• High Net Worth Divorce
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Modifications: Child Custody
• Modifications: Child Support
• Modifications: Parenting Plan
• Paternity
• Relocation
• Collaborative Law
• Domestic Partnerships
• Estate Planning
• Adoption
• Fathers' Rights
• International Cases
• Unmarried Couples
• Invalid Marriages
• Legal Separation
• Military Divorce
• Non-Parental Custody
• Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements
• Domestic Violence Protection Orders
• Restraining Orders
• Appeals
• Second Opinion Review

Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) Legal Help in Vancouver WA

If you are facing a divorce in Clark County, our Vancouver WA Divorce Lawyers can help you protect your financial well-being.

Alimony is often one of the most contentious issues in a divorce. Intense negotiation and even litigation may be necessary. The Vancouver WA divorce lawyers at McKinley Irvin are highly experienced in alimony and spousal maintenance issues and can help you protect your financial security during and after your divorce.

What is spousal maintenance?

Spousal maintenance, formerly called alimony and sometimes called spousal support, is a general term for court-ordered support payments from one spouse to the other. In Vancouver WA and Washington State, alimony is separate from child support. Spousal maintenance can vary in amount, duration, and even payment type, depending on the situation.

How is spousal maintenance (alimony) determined?

Either spouse may request alimony from the other spouse. If the couple cannot reach an agreement on spousal maintenance, the Washington family law courts will examine the situation, the needs of each spouse, and then decide whether or not to issue a spousal maintenance award.

While it is often preferable to work with your divorce lawyers to negotiate maintenance as part of your divorce settlement, your Vancouver WA divorce lawyer should be prepared to go to court to protect your financial interests.

The court will consider the needs of the requesting spouse for alimony, including:

• The standard of living established during the marriage or domestic partnership
• Length of the marriage (short marriages often do not result in alimony awards)
• The financial resources and financial obligations of the person seeking maintenance
• The time it would take the person seeking alimony to find suitable employment, and if they will need to get education or training to do so
• The age, health, and emotional condition of the spouse seeking alimony

The court will also take into account whether the other spouse has the ability to pay spousal maintenance. A qualified Vancouver WA divorce lawyer can advise you on whether you can expect to receive or pay spousal maintenance.

How long does maintenance (alimony) last?

Typically, alimony payments last for limited amounts of time only (a few months up to a few years). In rare cases, the court will order long-term spousal maintenance. Washington family law courts endeavor to award alimony only until it is no longer necessary. If either spouse’s financial circumstances change greatly, either spouse can request a modification of the spousal maintenance award.

McKinley Irvin is a full-service law firm focused exclusively on the practice of family law. For over 20 years, our accomplished lawyers have effectively resolved family law and divorce matters for our clients in Washington and Oregon.

Contact our office at 360-836-1136 to consult with a McKinley Irvin Vancouver WA divorce attorney regarding your family law matter.