HOW IS SPOUSAL SUPPORT CALCULATED IN KENTUCKY?

What is spousal support?

Spousal support is often referred to as “maintenance” or “alimony”

It is an amount paid by one spouse to another spouse after a divorce

The purpose of spousal support is to ensure that both spouses can

financially support themselves after a divorce

In some cases, spousal support is awarded to allow a financially

dependent spouse to maintain a similar standard of living after a marriage as

the spouses enjoyed during the marriage

In other cases, spousal support is awarded to financially support a spouse

while he or she obtains additional training and/or education to enter the

workforce and earn an income sufficient to provide for the spouse’s

needs

For spousal support to be awarded, the court must find that one spouse lacks sufficient income to provide for his or

her needs and is unable to earn a sufficient income at this time to provide

adequate financial support

How is spousal support calculated?

Kentucky does not have a standard formula for calculating alimony or

spousal support

The amount & duration of spousal support is in the judge’s discretion

The judge will use several factors to determine the amount and duration of spousal alimony once the judge determines that there is a financial

need for alimony

The factors a judge uses to determine alimony are set forth in Kentucky Revised Statute 403.2000

According to the statute,

“The maintenance order shall be in such amounts and for such periods

of time as the court deems just, and after considering all relevant

factors including:

The financial resources of the spouse seeking spousal support including any

marital property awarded to the spouse, the ability of the spouse to meet his or her needs

and any sum for child support

The time required for the spouse needing support to acquire education and/or training to enable the spouse to acquire appropriate

employment

The standard of living established during the marriage

The duration of the marriage

The age, physical condition and emotional condition of the spouse seeking support

The ability of the paying spouse to meet his or her needs while supporting the financially

dependent spouse

Hire an experienced divorce attorney!

Spousal support can affect your ability to provide for your financial

needs in the future

Because the decision to award alimony is in the judge’s discretion, it is important that you present a

strong case supporting your position with regard to alimony

Hiring an attorney with experience handling alimony cases is your best chance of achieving the outcome

you desire

We’ve Helped Thousands of KY Families, we can help you!

The divorce attorneys of Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples,

PSC have over 50 years of combined legal experience

If you are having issues with spousal support, we can help

We represent clients throughout central Kentucky

Contact an Experienced Radcliff and Elizabethtown Divorce

Attorney

Contact us at our Radcliff Office in Hardin County at (270) 351-6032 or

toll-free at 1-800-754-HELP to

schedule a free consultation with

one of our attorneys

You may also contact our office through our convenient online

contact form

Learn More About How Spousal Support Is Calculated In Kentucky

Click to visit:

www.mmslawonline.com

Content provided by: Best Legal Practices