How much spousal support can I receive?

In Virginia, there is no set amount for spousal support. The court looks at a number of factors in determining how much support should be awarded, including the length of the marriage, standard of living during the marriage, expenses of both spouses, income and earning capacity of both spouses, and any relevant contributions made by either spouse. If a court awards spousal support, it is usually based on a percentage of the difference between the parties’ incomes. This means that a court may look at the amount of money each person earned during the marriage and deduct one person’s income from the other person’s to determine the amount of spousal support one will pay to the other. The exact percentage will vary based on the facts of the case and could be a percentage of the difference or a number of years. For example, if a married couple had an annual income of $100,000 and $50,000, the court may determine that the higher wage earner should pay 45% of the difference ($25,000) in spousal support. This would equal $11,250 a year. The amount of spousal support can also change over the course of the divorce proceedings. If either party’s income significantly increases or decreases, the court may modify the amount of spousal support accordingly. Ultimately, the court will use its discretion and look at the facts of the case to determine an appropriate amount of spousal support.

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How much spousal support can I receive?

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