Spousal Support Lawyers Representing Anchorage Clients

Worrying about your future after divorce is valid, especially when income disparity exists in your household. At Eschbacher & Eschbacher, our lawyers help individuals who will either pay or receive spousal support as part of their final court orders.

With over 75 combined years of serving couples in Anchorage, our spousal support attorneys have a track record of desired results. Their balanced approach involves understanding your personal needs, setting fair expectations and drafting efficient solutions.

Why The Courts Have A Say On Spousal Support In A Divorce

In Alaska, spousal support, or alimony, is not automatic in all divorce cases. A judge has the right to decide whether you need it. When deciding, the courts look at various factors, including:

• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse’s age and health
• The spouses’ stations in life
• Each spouse’s earning capacity
• Financial conditions
• Asset depletion
• Final property division

With our spousal support attorneys by your side, they can help you request spousal support during court hearings.

Types Of Spousal Support Available In Anchorage Divorces

Rehabilitative support and reorientation support are the two most common types of spousal support awarded during a divorce. However, the court may award permanent support in exceptional cases.

Rehabilitative support pays for job training or school, supporting efforts to gain new skills and find stable work. If you are the receiving party, you must present a plan that outlines the steps you will take to achieve your goals while receiving support. Rehabilitative support lasts for the amount of time necessary to complete job training or a degree program. This commonly spans up to four years but depends on the specific educational plan approved by the court.

Reorientation support provides temporary assistance that eases you into living on less money than when you were married, often lasting for a short period of time. As the receiving party, you are required to show why property division will not meet your needs. You can include factors such as a gap in household income or a duty to take care of the children.

Whether you will pay or receive alimony, seeking advice from a spousal support attorney can help you understand more about how it could apply to your situation.

Alaska’s Rules On Modifying Spousal Support

You may modify spousal support, provided that you meet specific legal standards. If you want to change or terminate the support, you must show that a material and substantial change in circumstances has occurred.

Common grounds for modification usually involve:

• A job loss, involuntary reduced working hours, an illness or a mandatory requirement
• A significant increase or decrease in financial need
• Failure to achieve financial independence in the time allotted in the original divorce decree, despite good-faith efforts

Modification starts by filing a motion with the court that issued the final order on spousal support.

How Our Team At Eschbacher & Eschbacher Can Help You With Spousal Support

At Eschbacher & Eschbacher, our lawyers can be your reliable legal advocates during the divorce process. They can help you by doing the following:

• Assessing your case: Our attorneys set expectations by providing feedback based on your income, your spouse’s income and other factors of spousal support.
• Gathering financial records: Our team can assist you in finding documents so that you can clearly show your current financial status.
• Representing you in court: Our lawyers are ready to take an aggressive approach when matters escalate in court, fighting for your rights and financial future.
• Modifying or enforcing orders: Our family law team will take proactive steps when managing spousal support modifications and enforcement on your behalf.

Having experienced spousal support attorneys in Anchorage removes guesswork and doubts. With ours on your side, you can navigate the legal process with confidence.

Our Team Answers Your Questions About Spousal Support

If you want to learn more about how spousal support works in Alaska, our lawyers have the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions below.

How does Alaska decide whether to award spousal support in a divorce?

A judge may award spousal support when one party needs it. Instead of using a mathematical formula, a judge has broad discretion in determining the amount by analyzing various factors.

What is the difference between rehabilitative and reorientation spousal support in Alaska?

The difference between rehabilitative and reorientation spousal support lies in their specific purposes and durations. Rehabilitative support pays for education, schooling or job training and can last for up to four years. It enables the lower-earning spouse to gain skills that they can use to secure a job and become self-supporting.

Reorientation support provides short-term assistance while a formerly married person adjusts to living on a single income. It typically lasts one year or less, depending on the circumstances of the property division.

Can spousal support be modified or terminated after the divorce is finalized?

You can modify or terminate a spousal support order after finalization. If the judge provided the order, the requesting party must prove a material and substantial change in circumstances.

Find Divorce Solutions With A Credible Spousal Support Attorney

Here at Eschbacher & Eschbacher, our lawyers are ready to guide you through the steps in requesting spousal support in court. Our legal services are available to residents of Anchorage and neighboring counties. Call 866-653-4212 or send a contact form to get in touch with our team.