Can the court award spousal support even if the receiving spouse has not requested it?

In Washington, the court is able to award spousal support even if the receiving spouse has not requested it. This is known as “Rearranged Support” and it is based on certain conditions. If the paying spouse’s financial circumstances have changed significantly, then the court may decide that awarding spousal support is necessary in order to maintain the same standard of living for both spouses.The court will also consider other factors such as the length of the marriage, the age and health of both spouses, the abilities of each spouse to earn income, the amount of property each spouse owns, the spouses’ debts, and any other relevant information. The receiving spouse may be awarded either a lump sum payment or payments over a period of time. In Washington, spousal support can be temporary or permanent. When the court awards temporary spousal support, it is usually for a specific period of time, such as six months, or until the receiving spouse is able to become self-supporting. The court generally awards permanent spousal support when the difference in earning potential between the two spouses is greater than the court believes can be alleviated by temporary support. In Washington, the court will award permanent spousal support even if the receiving spouse has not requested it, provided that the court believes that it is necessary in order to maintain a standard of living that is close to how the couple lived before divorce.

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Can the court award spousal support even if the receiving spouse has not requested it?

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