A Tough Defense for the Toughest Offenses®

Alimony Lawyer in Utah

Gavel and Money- Divorce Alimony Attorney- Wasatch Defense Lawyers
Download PDF

Alimony Lawyer in Utah

Most people have very little understanding of the intricacies involved in a divorce. One partner might wonder, “What is alimony?” as they make the decision to get a divorce.

Alimony, also known as spousal support, are payments made by one partner to another allowing them to support themselves before and after the legal process is done. It’s important that anyone going through the process of ending a marriage in Utah get good legal advice on this topic.

In Utah, you can be awarded spousal support if the court deems it necessary, and a Utah divorce attorney at Wasatch Defense Lawyers, with a reputation of achieving results, will advocate aggressively on your behalf to make sure the court understands why it is necessary.

Get FREE Consultation Today!

Alimony Statutes in Utah

Both halves of a couple have the legal right to request alimony payments from the courts. Judges take a number of factors into account when deciding whether or not to award alimony to someone.

Factors Considered for Alimony

  • Financial Needs – What kind of financial condition will the requesting party be left in without receiving additional financial support?
  • Income Earning Ability – How likely is it that the requesting party will be able to earn an adequate living? The courts look at things like whether one party was the primary child care provider while the other worked or how long they’ve been out of the workforce.
  • Income Capacity – How much is the requestee currently earning? How much can they afford to pay each month to the other spouse?
  • Length of Marriage –The case for alimony gets stronger the longer the couple was married.
  • Child Custody – Which partner will assume primary custody of any minor children? The judge will account for the costs of maintaining a safe household.
  • Business Contributions – How much did the requesting party contribute to help their other half build up a business that provided income to the household? Did they actively work side by side with their spouse?
  • Education and Training Support – Did the requesting party work to help the other party go to school or gain job skills allowing them to earn more income? Would the other party be earning what they are without receiving that education?

Other factors that can play a part in the courts deciding against awarding alimony include:

  • Proven allegations of infidelity
  • Attempting to or actually causing physical harm to a spouse of minor children of the couple
  • Giving the spouse or minor children reason to fear for their lives
  • Taking deliberate action to undermine the financial stability of the other spouse or minor children of the couple

Determining Alimony Payments in Utah

The courts look at the lifestyle the couple was living in prior to the divorce. They also take into account the current state of both parties in determining whether support payments should start before the divorce is final.

Understanding Income Equalization

Utah courts aren’t bound by any particular formula when it comes to determining spousal support payments. They may try to strike a balance between the incomes earned by each party. If one party earns less, the courts combine their monthly incomes and divide that amount by two. Support gets determined based on the amount it would take to provide both parties with an equal amount.

Termination of Alimony

Alimony recipients automatically forfeit their rights to those payments if they remarry. The payee can go before a judge and request a release from their obligations if the recipient moves in with someone else. Obligations to make the payments also end if either party dies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alimony  

Why Was Alimony Created?

In the purest sense of the word, alimony has been put in place to help a spouse support himself or herself following a divorce. In many marriages, one spouse supports the other from a financial sense. One spouse goes out and works while the other stays home and takes care of the house and/or raises the children. If a marriage breaks up, the spouse who stays home doesn’t have a job and might not be able to support himself or herself. Alimony payments are the court’s way of dealing with this. Alimony payments are meant to help a spouse stay afloat until he or she becomes more financially stable. Alimony payments can be ordered by a court for varying amounts of time, depending on each individual situation, and might conclude once the spouse either enters into a new marriage or is deemed financial stable and independent.

How Long Payments Last?

Alimony payments in Utah generally last for the number of years the couple was married. Courts have the discretion of making that period longer or shorter based on the circumstances of the divorce.

Who pays taxes on Alimony Payments?

Alimony payments are considered as income. The recipient must report the payments as regular income. The payee gets to claim any payments made as a tax deduction.

Are Alimony Payments Taxable Income?

As of now, alimony payments are considered taxable income for the spouse who receives the payments and tax-deductible for the spouse who makes them. These are important pieces of information when each party is filling out his or her taxes, which will change since they are now divorced. The circumstances surrounding alimony law may change, so it is important for everyone to consult with an attorney to stay up to date on the latest laws surrounding alimony.

Are Alimony Payments Public Record?

Divorce records, including alimony, are meant to be private records. They can be viewed and copied by the parties involved, including their legal representation; however, they are not public record. This means that people cannot view someone’s alimony records without permission from the proper authorities. This is done to shield the privacy of the people involved.

Do You Have to Pay Alimony When Separated?

Alimony payments are ordered by the court when a divorce is finalized, if necessary. Therefore, if a couple is separated but hasn’t fully divorced, alimony payments are not yet ordered and do not have to be made. When the divorce is finalized, alimony payments might be ordered as part of the final divorce proceedings.

Do You Have to Pay Alimony When Retired?

Alimony payments are put into place for various amounts of time depending on the individual circumstances of each spouse. The current income of each spouse is going to be taken into account when considering the number and size of alimony payments. If someone’s income changes drastically, including losing a job (either due to switching jobs or due to retirement), alimony payments can be changed if necessary. For help with changing alimony payments, it is important to speak with a licensed attorney.

Do You Pay Alimony If Your Spouse Cheats?

Infidelity can be taken into account when trying to decide how a divorce is going to be finalized; however, it is important to note that alimony payments are not meant to be punitive in nature. They are meant to help one spouse complete his or her education and find a job so that he or she can find financial stability. Therefore, infidelity is not typically considered when it comes to alimony payments.

Attorney Profile Photo - Wasatch Defense Lawyers - Top-Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers in UtahWasatch Defense Lawyers are Alimony Attorneys in Salt Lake City, Utah

Don’t lose out on what you’re entitled to because you failed to obtain the right legal advice. Our Salt Lake City Divorce Lawyers have experience handling issues related to alimony in Utah. We’ll make sure you get what you’re entitled to for the support you provided during your marriage. Contact Wasatch Defense Lawyers today to Schedule a Free Consultation.

Call Wasatch Defense Lawyers