How is spousal support affected if the paying spouse becomes unemployed?

If a married couple in Washington gets divorced, the court may order that one spouse pays the other spousal support. However, if the spouse who is ordered to pay spousal support becomes unemployed, their ability to make the payments may be affected. In this case, the court may hold a hearing to determine if a modification of the support is needed. The court may take into account factors such as the length of the unemployment, the paying spouse’s efforts in finding new employment, and their current financial resources. In some cases, the court may decide to lower or suspend the payments until the paying spouse is able to find a job. If the paying spouse is unable to pay their spousal support due to financial hardship, they may have to provide the court with financial data such as their tax returns and income statements. Even if the court orders that the payments be temporarily suspended, the paying spouse may still owe the entire amount later when they become employed again. It is important that the paying spouse notify the court as soon as they become unemployed so they can try to avoid an accumulation of support payments. In cases where the paying spouse is unemployed, Washington courts strive to protect both spouses’ financial rights.

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How is spousal support affected if the paying spouse becomes unemployed?

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