Alimony & Spousal Support in Columbus, OH
What is spousal support (alimony) in Ohio? The Ohio Revised Code describes alimony as any payment or payments to be made to a spouse or former spouse. This can also include payments to a third party for the benefit of the spouse or former spouse.
Alimony can be a contentious ordeal to finalize for both parties. During the course of a legal separation, either the two parties come to an agreement regarding the alimony distribution or the judge will decide for them. The Ohio Court of Common Pleas looks at both spouses’ individual financial, social, and personal circumstances when determining how and what type of spousal support to award. See more on how alimony is calculated below.
In addition, alimony does not necessarily imply a purely monetary remittance. An award of spousal support (alimony), may be allowed in the form of personal property or a decree of a lump sum of money.
Alimony payments can also occur as installments over a period of time or as one lump sum. The court will attempt to find a fair and equitable amount, but it is imperative to handle proceedings with an experienced Columbus divorce attorney.
Looking for a spousal support attorney for your family law financial matters in Ohio near you? Contact us today.
Experienced Columbus Spousal Support Attorneys
If you have been going through a divorce with your spouse in the Columbus area, it is imperative that you seek the help of an experienced alimony attorney to guide you through it. Divorce can be a serious moment in a person’s life and the determinations of the Court of Common Pleas can last for years.
The attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm have represented numerous clients over the years for spousal support issues. Sometimes alimony can be hard for a party to deal with financially. You still deserve legal representation. Do not let yourself be misrepresented.
Joslyn Law Firm has represented clients in all of Franklin County and the surrounding counties: Delaware County, Pickaway County, Madison County, Licking County, and Fairfield County. If you need an experienced divorce attorney in the Columbus area, Joslyn Law Firm is ready to guide you through the process.
Contact Joslyn Law Firm today for a free consultation.
About Alimony in Ohio
- Calculating Alimony Payments
- Negotiating Spousal Support
- Alimony Modification
- Additional Spousal Support Resources
- Family Law Financial Matters Lawyer
Calculating Alimony Payments in Ohio
After a divorce has been finalized, depending on the circumstances, the court may award permanent spousal support (alimony). The Court of Common Pleas attempts to award support that is both appropriate and reasonable, and which has no bearing on the sex of the party that will give or receive the support.
Because a legal separation can be such a jarring experience, the court deems through a list of determining factors what is appropriate to decree to spousal support to one of the parties. The court considers a number of factors when determining fair compensation regarding spousal support, including:
- The income of all parties, including property divided and distributed through divorce;
- Earning abilities of each party;
- The ages and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions of each party;
- The retirement benefits of the party;
- The duration of marriage;
- The extent to which the party can seek employment due to custodianship of a minor child;
- The established standard of living of the parties during marriage;
- The extend of education with each party;
- The assets and liabilities of the parties;
- The contribution of each party to the education, training, or earning ability of the other party;
- The time and expense necessary for the spouse seeking alimony to acquire education, training, and job experience;
- The tax consequences for each party due to award of spousal support;
- The lost income production capacity of each party resulting from legal separation;
- Any remaining factor deemed appropriate by the judge to the case.
After looking at these circumstances, the judge may award spousal support, but only if it is both appropriate and reasonable.
Negotiating Alimony
You can also negotiate with your spouse regarding alimony. The negotiation process for spousal support can be difficult. While the law provides guidance on the amount of alimony or spousal support you are entitled to, if you and your spouse come up with an agreement, you can present that to the judge. Note that alimony negotiation can be a complicated process, even if both spouses are reasonable. Our attorneys can help you with preparing for and negotiating spousal support.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Modification of Alimony Payments Over Time
Depending on how long the judge deems the alimony payment period-appropriate, certain factors may occur during the alimony period that can cause a change in the originally decreed amount. Sometimes the ex-spouse ordered to pay alimony might lose his or her job, or the receiving ex-spouse may come into money through a new job. Both of these scenarios would likely call for the case to be reevaluated by the court.
These modifications take place because of one party’s substantial change in circumstances. Changes in salary are one of the largest factors in modifications, such as a pay increase or decrease. Unexpected medical costs may also appear and hinder the paying party from completing their alimony payments.
These changes can only affect the alimony payments if the changes in circumstance are substantial and make the existing spousal support ultimately unreasonable or inappropriate. In addition, the changes in circumstance must not have been, at the time of the initial awarding, taken into account by the parties or the court.
If one of the party members is found in contempt of court for failing to make alimony payments under an order, he or she will be required to pay any reasonable attorney’s fees for the adverse party.
Additional Ohio Spousal Support Resources
Ohio Revised Code | 3105.18 – Visit the official online website of Ohio Laws and Rules, LAWriter. Here, you can learn all the specific rules and regulations pertaining to divorce and alimony in the state of Ohio, in addition to other domestic relation codes.
Ohio Alimony Calculator – Visit Alimony Calculator to see just what an average person may be paying in alimony under very general circumstances. Note that each specific divorce or marriage separation carries with it its own set of circumstances; see what may be considered in an alimony case in Ohio.
Important Note: Because each case is unique, general information about spousal support in Ohio might not be enough. The experienced spousal support lawyers at Joslyn Law Firm in Columbus provide confidential consultations for your financial family law matters to give you advice specific to your circumstances. And it all begins with a free consultation – contact us to get started.
Find a Spousal Support Attorney in Central Ohio
If you are going through a divorce and need an experienced lawyer to negotiate or defend you in an alimony case, contact Joslyn Law Firm. The attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm have practiced various aspects of divorce law in the Columbus, Ohio area for years, including child support, child custody, separation agreements, annulment, division of property, and more.
If you are facing alimony in the Columbus area or anywhere in Franklin County, Delaware County, Pickaway County, Madison County, Licking County, or Fairfield County, contact an experienced attorney today. These cases can be difficult to face, so get the help of an experienced family law attorney at Joslyn Law Firm.
Call Joslyn Law Firm to schedule a free consultation at (614) 420-2424 or contact us online here.
This page was last updated by Brian Joslyn
This article was last updated on October 11, 2021.
Menu
Our Firm
Practices
Contact