Hamilton & Antonsen

Maintenance & Spousal Support Attorney

Will County divorce attorneys negotiate maintenance & spousal support law in Joliet, Illinois

Spousal support, also referred to as maintenance, is one of the most common issues negotiated in a Will County divorce. The purpose of spousal support is to help a spouse who is in a weaker financial position during and after the divorce with monetary support while they work to become financially independent. With continual changes in the law, the issue of maintenance has become more complex in many Will County divorce cases. Rely on an experienced Will County divorce attorney to ensure that you do not pay too much, or receive too little, in your divorce case.

Call Hamilton & Antonsen in Joliet at (815) 729-9220 today or contact us to schedule a free consultation.

Types of Illinois Maintenance

Illinois courts may award one or more types of maintenance in a Will County divorce case. The first is temporary support, which is paid while the divorce is ongoing and terminates upon the finalization of the case.

The second is rehabilitative maintenance, which is paid while a spouse completes education or training necessary to reenter the workforce and gain the skills necessary for employment. This type of support can be short-term, long-term, or indefinite with periodic review depending on the education and training required.

The final type of maintenance is permanent spousal support. Qualification for permanent spousal support is typically made on the length of the marriage, age of the spouses, and whether the spouse receiving maintenance has any illnesses or disabilities that would render it difficult to find work.

What Factors are Considered in Maintenance Orders?

Before making a determination of how much spousal support to order, the court must first find that there is a need for maintenance payments. A need for financial assistance must be proven before spousal support can be considered. If both spouses can support themselves and maintain their standard of living, the court will generally not award maintenance. However, if the need for maintenance is proven, the Will County Court weighs the following factors when determining what types and how much spousal support should be paid:

  • Each spouse’s income and property
  • Each spouse’s need for support
  • The present and future earning capacity of each spouse
  • Impairment of the current and future earning capacity of the spouse requesting support due to decisions made during the marriage
  • The standard of living established
  • Length of the marriage
  • How long the requesting spouse needs to receive the appropriate education, training, and employment to become financially independent
  • Each spouse’s age and physical health
  • Both spouses’ income
  • Tax consequences
  • Whether one spouse contributed to the other spouse’s education during the marriage, and more

Family Law Topics of Interest

For more information regarding specific aspects of family law and divorce law, please see the topics below

Call or Contact Our Office Now

The determination of maintenance in your Will County divorce case can have a substantial impact on your finances for the foreseeable future. You need an experienced Will County divorce lawyer to handle your case with the zealous advocacy it deserves.

Call Hamilton & Antonsen at 815.729.9220 or contact us toschedule a free evaluation of your case.