Conditions for interim spousal support in Louisiana

While a couple is married in Louisiana, they develop a routine, which may include one spouse running the home while the other continues to work. Or, one spouse may have accepted a lower paying job with better hours while the other works in a better paying job. Whatever their arrangement is, they have generally agreed on a situation that allows them to maintain a certain standard of living and it involves one spouse’s financial dependence on the other. If the couple ends up divorcing, not only does this place one person at a long-term financial disadvantage, but also short term when they are suddenly deprived of the means of making ends meet.

Alimony, or spousal support, is a financial tool that couples use during a divorce. One spouse is obligated to pay another a certain amount of financial support after the divorce takes place and the court determines this amount after considering a number of factors including the party’s ability to earn money currently and in the future, their ages and health, how long the parties were married and the conditions that led up to the divorce. Louisiana allows for both long term and temporary alimony.

With the divorce pending while the family law issues are being disputed, one spouse may find himself or herself financially flailing and temporary alimony is one way to ensure that the individual can maintain their standard of living. The court looks at the needs of that party, the ability of the other party to pay and standard of living enjoyed by the couple during their marriage. The award of interim spousal support terminates upon the judgment of the divorce, or if the final spousal support decision does not come along with the judgment, upon the rendering of the decision.

As mentioned above the court considers a number of factors when making both final alimony and interim alimony decisions and it is important to ensure all relevant evidence is presented to the court so they can make an informed decision. An experienced family law attorney can help during the emotionally draining process.