Anchorage Spousal Support Lawyer

Alaska Alimony Attorney

Spousal support (also known as “alimony”) is the exception rather than the rule in Alaska. But if you are going to be paying alimony after divorce, you certainly don’t want it to come as a surprise. And, if you do meet the criteria to receive spousal support, you certainly don’t want to leave that on the table.

A knowledgeable lawyer should be able to assess whether a court would likely award spousal support in your particular situation, and position you accordingly in divorce proceedings. Anchorage attorney Maurice Ellis has practiced in family law since 1993. He has argued successfully for and against spousal support in contested divorce cases throughout Alaska.

What is Spousal Support?

Spousal support is a payment from one spouse to the other (monthly or in a lump sum) necessary to meet a parties’ financial needs or to equalize income and standard of living either during or after a divorce. The Alaska family courts prefer to meet the needs of the lesser-earning spouse through property division. For instance, the lesser-earning spouse might get the house or a bigger share of retirement savings. However, if there are not sufficient assets to equalize finances, spousal support may apply:

Interim spousal support is a temporary payment, while the divorce is pending, based on the economic circumstances of each spouse.

Post-divorce support (often called alimony) can be awarded in three types:

  • Reorientation support is an equalizing payment to help adjust to a lower standard of living, usually for a year or less.
  • Rehabilitation support is financial support of limited duration (a few years at most), while the spouse goes back to school or gets re-established in the job market.
  • Long-term or “permanent” support is granted only when one party cannot become self-sufficient because of age, medical issues or disability. The support continues until remarriage or death.

The court will consider statutory guidelines, such as length of the marriage, the incomes and the earning capacity of each spouse, and sacrifices such as child-rearing, or supporting the other spouse’s career.

Find Out Where You Stand in Alimony and Division of Property

Maurice Ellis can also give his clients a fair idea at the beginning of the case whether spousal support applies, and the approximate amount and duration. Call 907-258-1239 or contact Mr. Ellis online to arrange a consultation. He offers a 10% discount to active duty military personnel.