Parties to a divorce often dread the topic of spousal maintenance, i.e., spousal support or alimony. Discussion of financial assistance after marriage tends to be highly contentious, adding to the already emotionally taxing experience of divorce proceedings.
At Harper Easterling, our Arizona spousal maintenance attorneys understand the need to have a financially savvy lawyer in your corner. We have years of experience handling litigious negotiations and have successfully represented clients throughout Maricopa County and the surrounding areas.
Harper Easterling knows the foundation of a successful family law matter rests on the strength of the attorney-client relationship. Our talented legal team:
Most importantly, Harper Easterling gives clients the legal peace of mind they need during difficult times.
Following a legal separation, a former spouse may be entitled to spousal maintenance, also known as alimony. Spousal maintenance is granted by the courts due to financial need and not the length of the marriage. However, the amount of time a couple has been married is one of the many factors used to determine the amount and duration of spousal support.
If the paying spouse has the financial resources, a spousal maintenance award may be granted for a select period of time. The receiving spouse is entitled to support payments that cover their reasonable needs.
In simpler terms, if there is a gross financial inequality between two former spouses, alimony is likely to be granted. The type of alimony and the amount of spousal support payments will depend on several factors discussed below.
Spousal maintenance ordered by the court is modifiable if there is a substantial and continuing change of circumstances. Spousal maintenance ends if the spouse receiving support remarries or dies.
Arizona spousal maintenance is not automatically granted. Instead, it is a gender-neutral payment meant to prevent an unfair economic hardship on one spouse in the event of a divorce. A spouse must meet specific qualifications to be awarded spousal support.
According to the Arizona Revised Statutes, A.R.S., the main factors determining spousal maintenance are based on need. Once the court finds a former spouse eligible, the amount and duration of alimony will be decided after consideration of numerous factors.
Under Arizona law, a party qualifies for spousal support if any of the following apply to the party seeking alimony:
Once a party establishes he or she qualifies for spousal support, the amount and duration of the spousal maintenance award will factor in the following:
A skilled family law attorney can help you with the issue of spousal maintenance in a divorce proceeding.
The length of the marriage significantly impacts the amount and duration of alimony.
Arizona judges have a great deal of latitude in deciding if and how spousal maintenance will be awarded. Given that every divorce contains unique elements that the judge will look at as a whole, it would be impossible to estimate the amount of spousal support payments.
If you have questions regarding the status of spousal maintenance for your impending divorce, our spousal maintenance attorneys can evaluate your case. Based on your particular circumstances and financial resources, we can advise you regarding spousal maintenance.
Ending a marriage is difficult. Without a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, couples are left to hammer out crucial financial details during an emotional rollercoaster.
Spousal maintenance is often a sore subject during divorce proceedings. After the division of property, one spouse may find they have an uncertain financial future with very little prospects. On the other hand, a spouse may be fearful of being forced into an unfair alimony agreement.
Whatever the family law issue, a family law attorney will look after your best interests. At Harper Easterling, our Arizona spousal maintenance lawyers have the experience, skills, and resources available to protect your rights.
Schedule a consultation with one of our highly sought alimony attorneys today. With our legal advice and trusted reputation, we will help you reach your spousal maintenance goals.
Our law offices handle all areas of family law in Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the surrounding areas.
Steph handled a dissolution with children for my daughter. It was such a stressful time for my daughter along with her dad and I. Steph and her staff were extremely professional, knowledgeable and explained each phase along the way. Steph and her staff were also very understanding with the emotional side of a case like this. They were kind and never judge mental. I would highly recommend Steph and her staff for any family law case.
When I was looking for an attorney to begin the divorce process (dissolution of marriage with children), Steph came highly recommended from a close friend. After meeting with her, I completely understood why! Steph is extremely knowledgeable, was able to answer ALL my questions and help ease my anxieties. She was able to make this difficult chapter go as smooth as possible. Steph and her team were quick to respond to any questions and needs and never left me with unanswered questions or concerns. I would recommend Steph to anyone in need of a family law attorney!
When you want to have your case handled by a professional, receive the best advice in your interest, and someone who is a good listener, you should HIRE Steph Easterling and her team as your legal representation and advisors. Having one of the BEST of the BEST is always important but especially in regard to Family Law and having someone fighting for YOUR best interests.
Steph and her team are great! I was nervous because I have never done anything like this before. She explained everything to me so I understood it. Her staff is super nice. I like how they kept me up to date on my case. I would definitely recommend to everyone with any family law case.
very professional very polite very knowledgeable has lots of experience from 1 to 10 she’s a 10 I would recommend her I would love her to take my case very confident excellent service excellent attorney tourneys that I visit she is the number one excellent
I am very thankful for the services I received from Stephanie Harper Easterling. She coached and guided me at the end of my very complicated long divorce case when I was scared, lost, and had no idea what I was doing. I had limited funds to hire an attorney, but I was able to use limited scope services and hired Stephanie for only what I was unsure about while representing myself in my divorce case. Stephanie was extremely prompt in getting back to every time I had a question for her and she assisted me with my pretrial statement; saving me money as I completed it at the best of my knowledge and had her edit and modify it as needed. When I was unsure of something and needed more information she provided what I needed to help me understand. Thanks to Stephanies professional, prompt, and excellent service, the judge granted every exhibit I submitted and I was very very happy with the end results of my divorce case. I could not have done it without the help of Stephanie!
We worked with Stephanie on the creation of a prenup agreement. She came as a recommendation to us, and we were incredibly pleased with both the final product and the ease of working with her. We would definitely use her again.
Stephanie is certainly a 5-star attorney. I am most impressed with her pragmatic and common sense approach to managing her client’s/my case issues. She did not waste my time with making idol promises nor was she arrogantly dismissive of my concerns. She does however provide me with the tools and understanding of why a tactic(s) may or may not work. I appreciate her creativity, humility, understanding of the law and her straight forward approach to working with me and my family.
I was ordered to pay my exwife spousal maintenance for an indefinite time. When my exwife (who never worked) was approaching her 62nd birthday I contacted her and requested that she should consider putting in paperwork to start receiving Social Security. My exwife was also eligible to receive half of my pension. With the pension and the Social Security she would be receiving more than I was giving her via spousal maintenance. My hope was with that in place I could stop paying her the spousal maintenance and start planning better for my retirement. She said no. I then hired Stephanie. With her help we were able to convince the judge to require my exwife to do as I had requested. Stephanie was also able to recover some of my attorney fees from my exwife. Stephanie was easy to work with. Her paralegal was also a joy to work with. We did a lot of our communcating through email. I always got very timely responses.
Stephanie was not the first lawyer assigned to my case but she turned out to be a real gem. I was feeling a bit passed around, but as time went on, realized that the lawyers and paralegals at this firm all have each other’s backs and I was in good hands all along. When the going got tough and the opposition was coming on strong ,being very rude and using scare tactics, Stephanie did not budge or flinch and assured me the law was on our side, which gave me the strength not to buckle. She listened to exactly what I wanted and when she wrote our proposals or responses they were precise, to the point and impressive. We successfully settled out of court for more than I expected and I attribute this to Stephanie’s demeanor, her team, and ability not to swayed by bullying tactics. Everyone at this firm is very professional and on top of their game. She is working with a friend of mine right now and he is as equally impressed.
I would tell all of my friends and family about Stephanie for their legal matters and trust that they are in good hands. She is friendly as well as knowledgable and made me feel like she truly understands what I am going through. She has a kind approach that didn’t make me feel intimidated as a first time client but also a firmness that gave me assurance that she will fight for my rights. Thank you for all of your help Stephanie 🙂
Stephanie was an excellent attorney and I would recommend her to anyone. She was very logical, rational, and supportive of my situation. She was personable and very easy-going, knowing that I was dealing with so much stress through all of this. Even though I overwhelmed her with paperwork because my case on my ex was so huge she was able to organize our case and make sure we presented the proper facts relevant to the case without having to “smear” her in court. She was always concerned with what was in my best interest and the best interest of my daughter. She will be my attorney of record for the rest of my daughter’s youth.
