Can I Still Be Awarded Alimony if I’ve Been Married for a Short Time?
Pennsylvania courts have broad discretion in awarding alimony – also called spousal support – during and after divorce proceedings. With the right Harrisburg alimony attorney on your side from Purdy Law Office, LLC, you might still be awarded alimony even if you’ve only been married for a short time. This depends on numerous factors our dedicated family lawyers can review with you during your legal consultation.
Types of Alimony and Spousal Support Awards in Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth recognizes three types of financial support paid by one spouse to the other before, during, or after divorce proceedings. These awards generally fall into the following categories:
Spousal Support
Spousal support is typically awarded during any period of legal separation, especially if the parties are working on their marriage. Courts may be more likely to award you this temporary support if you’ve only been married for a short while but have not yet filed for divorce.
Alimony Pendente Lite
Once you file a divorce petition, the court has the discretion to award one party alimony pendente lite. This type of temporary alimony is awarded during divorce proceedings but before the divorce is finalized. This order may also require the paying spouse to cover your legal fees and costs.
Alimony
Temporary or long-term alimony may be awarded when the divorce is finalized. Though there is no set timeframe for how long you must be married to obtain alimony, courts typically only award long-term (indefinite) alimony if you were married for an extended period (over 20 years). With the right legal advocate on your side, however, you might obtain alimony even if you were only married for a short time.
Legal Standards and Factors Considered in Awarding Alimony
In Harrisburg, a judge may only award alimony if she finds the award is necessary. She cannot award spousal support as a matter of punishment or to replace child support. Further, courts must consider a set of factors in determining whether to award alimony and, if so, how much and for how long. These factors include the following:
- Duration of the marriage
- Earning capacity and earnings of both spouses
- Age and health
- Any family wealth and anticipated inheritances
- Contributions to the other party’s education or business
- Childcare responsibilities
- Assets and liabilities
- Needs
- Fault, including abuse and adultery
- Ability to work
- Standard of living established during the marriage
The duration of your marriage is only one factor that courts consider when determining whether to award alimony. The right alimony attorney might help prove your entitlement to at least durational support in PA, even if you haven’t been married long.
Contact a Dedicated Harrisburg Alimony and Divorce Lawyer Today
You are potentially entitled to spousal support and alimony even if you’ve only been married for a short time in Pennsylvania. If you need alimony but have not been married for long, you should immediately discuss your rights with a dedicated Harrisburg spousal support attorney at Purdy Law Office, LLC by calling 717-674-2885 or contacting us online.