Alimony / Spousal Maintenance

In Washington, “spousal maintenance” is legally equivalent to the term alimony. Upon filing a divorce action, a spouse can request financial support from the other spouse for a specific amount and period of time. The court’s decision of whether to award spousal maintenance, and if granted, the amount of spousal maintenance awarded, depends upon an analysis of the following factors:

• The financial stability of the party requesting spousal maintenance, including property and child support awarded to the requesting party in the divorce, and his or her ability to independently meet his or her financial obligations;
• The ability of the party providing spousal maintenance to meet his or her financial needs while meeting the financial requirements of the party seeking spousal maintenance;
• The reasonable time period for the party requesting spousal maintenance to obtain sufficient education and/or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to secure employment;
• The duration of the marriage;
• The standard of living the spouses developed and became accustomed during the marriage; and
• The age, physical condition, emotional condition, and financial obligations of the party requesting spousal maintenance.

Please call Eagle Law Offices, P.S.  with alimony and spousal maintenance questions or to discuss your circumstances. Throughout 16 years of practice, the attorneys at Eagle Law Offices, P.S.  have strongly represented their clients’ interests regarding spousal maintenance issues.