If you are the victim of domestic violence, you certainly do not want to end up paying spousal support to your abusive partner. Unfortunately, that is something that can end up happening in some divorce cases. A history of violence can be considered by the court, but it may not be convincing enough on its own to bar your abusive former partner from asking for support. This is why you should have an experienced Tazewell County domestic violence lawyer on your side when you are working out an alimony arrangement.
How Long Does Spousal Support Last?
Spousal support can last different lengths of time for different couples. A court can look at things like how long your marriage lasted and whether or not each spouse can support themselves. There can also be different types of support that are called for, like short-term alimony that just helps one spouse get through the divorce process and back on their feet.
If you do not want to end up paying spousal support to an abusive ex, you need to be ready to make your case. You need to show why they do not deserve support and use the evidence you have of their abuse and other transgressions to make a stand.
Can a Domestic Abuser Receive Spousal Support?
Unfortunately, a domestic abuser could end up receiving spousal support as a part of a divorce agreement. This is more likely if there have just been accusations leveled, but no actual arrests. The court can still look at factors like the income and assets of both spouses, the ability of each spouse to be self-sufficient, and the standard of living established during the marriage in addition to any alleged abuse.
Any of these elements can cause a judge to determine that one spouse needs support more than the other, even if said spouse has a history of being abusive. This is why you need to have as much evidence as you can gather and why you should seriously consider hiring a divorce attorney who will make your best case for a better spousal support arrangement.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
Your attorney can help you by building a divorce case that casts you in the best possible light. We can gather evidence of your former spouse’s abusive behavior, talk to people who witnessed it, and convince the judge that there is no need to award such a person spousal support.
In fact, it’s you who should be receiving spousal support! It should be compensation for everything that you experienced in your marriage. We will fight with you to get the best possible outcome.
Contact Our Law Firm
When you need compassionate and experienced legal counsel, contact Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. We can schedule a consultation for you and tell you more about what we can do to help you with your case. Contact our law firm today.
