What is the purpose of spousal support?

Spousal support, also known as alimony or maintenance, is an arrangement established through a court order or voluntary agreement between two spouses to provide financial support for one spouse after a divorce. The purpose of spousal support in Wisconsin is to ensure that both spouses can maintain a reasonable standard of living, similar to the one they enjoyed during the marriage. This means providing financial assistance for a period of time to help cover living expenses, such as food, housing, medical care, transportation, and other basic needs. Wisconsin law states that spousal support should be considered when one spouse is “unable to meet their needs” after a divorce, attempted reconciliation, or annulment of marriage, and should be determined based on the needs of the party requesting support and the other spouse’s ability to pay. In other words, the court evaluates each spouse’s financial resources, the length of the marriage, and other factors to determine whether one spouse is responsible for temporary or permanent payment of spousal support. There are limits to the amount and duration of spousal support in Wisconsin. Spousal support can’t be awarded for longer than the length of the marriage, and it can’t be more than the recipient’s need or the payer’s ability to pay. The court also takes into account the importance of the recipient’s self-sufficiency and the payer’s ability to meet their own expenses. Ultimately, the purpose of spousal support in the state of Wisconsin is to provide financial assistance to one spouse after the dissolution of marriage so that both parties are able to sustain a reasonable standard of living.

Related FAQs

Does spousal support continue if the paying spouse gets a job after retirement?
How much spousal support can I receive?
How does cohabitation play a role in spousal support?
Is spousal support based on gender?
Does the court consider the paying spouse’s other financial obligations when deciding on spousal support?
What happens if the receiving spouse’s income increases?
Are there tax benefits or penalties associated with spousal support payments?
How does the court decide who will pay the spousal support?
What do I need to do to get spousal support payments stopped?
Is spousal support paid until the receiving spouse remarries?

What is the purpose of spousal support?

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