How does a court decide who will pay alimony?

In North Carolina, a court decides who will pay alimony by considering a number of factors. These factors include the length of the marriage, the current and future incomes of both parties, and the couple’s standard of living during the marriage. Additionally, courts will consider each party’s age, physical and mental health, and economic condition, as well as any contributions made by either spouse to the education, training, or earning power of the other. Alimony is intended to help a lower-earning spouse maintain their standard of living after the divorce. Therefore, the court will also take into account any economic or other contributions a spouse made as a homemaker or caregiver during the marriage. The court will also consider any potential tax implications of the alimony order. North Carolina courts may also consider evidence of marital misconduct when ordering alimony, as long as it is relevant to the circumstances of the case. Examples of such misconduct may include infidelity, drug or alcohol abuse, domestic violence, or abandoning the marriage. Finally, the court will consider other relevant factors to ensure its alimony order is fair to both parties.

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