What is a spousal support order?

A spousal support order is a court order issued in family law cases in Washington that requires one spouse to provide financial assistance to the other for a specified period of time. This financial assistance helps to ensure that the receiving spouse is able to maintain an adequate standard of living after divorce or legal separation. The amount of support ordered depends on many factors, including the income and assets of each spouse, the length of the marriage, the length of the parties’ separation, each party’s age and health, and the amount of time the receiving spouse needs to become self-supporting. There are different categories of spousal support that can be ordered, including temporary, rehabilitative, and permanent support, and the court can also order that any money awarded should be paid in a lump sum. To help protect the receiving spouse, spousal support orders are enforceable by the court, meaning that if a paying spouse fails to meet the obligations of the order, the receiving spouse may seek enforcement action.

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What is a spousal support order?

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