In East Islip and in cases across New York, it’s becoming seldom for one spouse to be awarded permanent maintenance, however, it does still happen. A common question for both the paying spouse and the spouse receiving the funds is when and under what circumstances spousal support can be terminated. It’s important to understand these guidelines and what they mean for divorcing couples.
Maintenance awards from the court can be non-durational or durational. Durational means that maintenance is being awarded to a spouse for a specific period of time. The goal of this short term period is to give the other spouse a safety net so that he or she can become self-supportive after the transitional period. Non-durational maintenance, on the other hand, can also be called lifetime maintenance, as this is paid to the receiving spouse for the course of his or her life. It’s rare, but it can be awarded in certain circumstances.
Most spouses who are able to support themselves after a period of time are likely to receive durational or temporary maintenance. This gives them the financial resources to get additional education and training, in order to get back into the working world; or it can give them some cushion while they seek out new employment.
Understanding all of the factors related to the awarding of spousal maintenance is essential, especially with it comes to spousal support that is only awarded for a specific period of time. The details of the award in your case will depend on several factors that the courts will analyze. It’s in your best interest to get qualified legal counsel sooner rather than later, so that you have someone advocating for your rights in Suffolk County family court.
