For many spouses who are financially dependent over the course of their marriage, when they get divorced, they require alimony, also known as spousal support, to help ensure they can retain their standard of living. That said, in the past, alimony has been more frequently afforded to women, however, in more recent times, as more and more women become the breadwinners in relationships, men getting divorced will often wonder whether they can receive alimony here in New York State. Please continue reading and reach out to our experienced Nassau County alimony lawyer from our legal team to learn more about how alimony works in New York and whether a man can receive it. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Are men allowed to receive alimony here in New York?
In short, the answer is yes, men can, and often do, receive alimony here in New York State. Alimony is calculated by a number of factors, though the most important factors include each spouse’s income, their earning potential, and the duration of their marriage. If one spouse makes a significant amount more than the other spouse, the other spouse can request alimony to retain their standard of living, regardless of their gender. Some additional factors courts will consider are as follows:
- Each spouse’s age and health
- Whether there is a child custody/support agreement in place
- Whether one spouse sidelined their career in support of the other spouse’s career
- The cost of living
- Tax implications
- Any other factor the court deems relevant
Can you change an alimony agreement in New York State?
In short, the answer to this question is also yes, but it depends on your specific situation. To modify an alimony agreement, you will have to prove that there has been a continuing and unforeseen change in circumstances. For example, if one spouse pays alimony but they developed a serious and costly medical condition, they may modify their alimony agreement accordingly. Additionally, if the spouse receiving alimony remarries, gets a higher-paying job, or otherwise comes into a large sum of money, the spouse paying alimony may request termination of the alimony agreement. These are just some potential scenarios that may qualify for a modification to an alimony agreement, so if you have any other questions about alimony or modifications to it, you should pick up the phone and give a Nassau County divorce lawyer from our firm a call today.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NASSAU COUNTY FIRM
Barrows Levy PLLC is a dedicated New York law firm focused on providing quality legal services to clients in New York City and Long Island. If you require a lawyer who has notable experience handling family and estate planning matters, we are available to help. Contact Barrows Levy PLLC to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.
