Alimony is a payment from one spouse to the other when one of the spouses is at a financial disadvantage during or after divorce. There are many common law factors in determining alimony and the court has a certain amount of leeway. If you think alimony may apply in your Iowa divorce, you need an experienced attorney to ensure a fair and practical outcome.
At M. Victoria Cole Law Firm P.C., we represent men and women in all facets of divorce, including negotiation or litigation of alimony or spousal support. Our experienced divorce lawyer has successfully argued for and against alimony on behalf of clients in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo and throughout Eastern Iowa.
Cedar Rapids Divorce Law Attorney
Will There Be Alimony In Your Iowa Divorce?
Iowa law recognizes four main types of alimony, also known as spousal support:
- Traditional alimony is granted indefinitely to a spouse who cannot support herself (or himself). It is most typical in longer marriages, especially when the spouse has not worked outside the home or is not able to work.
- Rehabilitative alimony is usually granted for a limited period (a few years) to enable the spouse to become self-supporting. It provides interim support while the spouse goes back to school or establishes a career or business.
- Transitional alimony recognizes that divorcing spouses must adjust to single life; if one is better equipped for that adjustment, the other will face hardship, the Court is able to award support to address that inequity and bridge the gap.
- Reimbursement alimony recognizes sacrifices by one spouse that directly benefited the other spouse’s business or earning capacity. For example, if the spouse supported the other through graduate school or put his or her own career on hold to raise the children, the court may award reimbursement.
The court considers many factors, including length of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, income disparity, education and work history, and the accustomed standard of living during the marriage. Alimony is not a punitive measure but rather meant to provide financial security to the lesser earning spouse.
Contact Our Iowa City Divorce And Spousal Support Lawyer
Attorney Victoria Cole can negotiate the amount and duration of alimony in the context of your property settlement agreement, or negotiate a lump-sum “buyout” at the time of divorce. She is also a skilled trial lawyer who can present a compelling case for or against alimony in contested divorce proceedings.
Ms. Cole will sit down with you to understand your circumstances and help you make an informed decision about how to proceed. Call our Cedar Rapids office at 319-261-2600 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation, including evenings and weekends by appointment.