4 Types of Spousal Support or Alimony Part 2

In the last post on the Equitable Mediation Services blog, we discussed the four types of spousal support (formerly known as alimony) and how since there is no formula for calculating spousal support, it’s best to work with a divorce mediator in New Jersey who can help you and your spouse determine what a fair and equitable amount of alimony would be.

As a refresher, in NJ, the 4 types of spousal support are:

1. Permanent
2. Limited Duration
3. Rehabilitative
4. Reimbursement

In today’s post, we’re going to focus on limited duration alimony as like with permanent spousal support, the length of your marriage is a factor when deciding if alimony is going to be limited in duration.  Limited duration spousal support is usually reserved for marriages lasting 10 years or less and like all other types of alimony, there is no formula for calculating it so mediators use a number of data points to help couples with the discussion of what might be appropriate in their particular cases.

Now there is much debate in mediation circles what an appropriate duration alimony should be in these types of cases, but as a general rule (remember – this is a blog and is not intended to give legal advice as these are just the experiences of a single NJ divorce mediator) generally, limited duration spousal support for short term marriages lasts 1/2 to one year for each year the couple was married.  Is this always the case?  Absolutely not. Much like with permanent alimony, the incomes of the parties, their ability to work, education level and a host of other intangible factors come in to play when determining an appropriate amount of spousal support.  That why it’s always best to work divorce mediator in New Jersey who can help you work together to come to what you both feel is a fair and equitable amount as remember – there is no formula.

For limited duration spousal support, much like with permanent alimony, the thought is you both contributed to the marriage equally, even if one of you contributed financially and one of you contributed in non-financial ways.  Especially if you have children together, it doesn’t do either of you any good if one of you is living well and one of you is destitute.   Whether you agree with the spousal support laws or not, they are intended to help both parties for a certain period of time after they are divorced, have a chance at a similar lifestyle, even if that lifestyle is lower than the one they enjoyed together as a married couple.  Then after alimony has ended, it is up to each of the parties to continue to work on developing their post-marital lifestyle which is something we stress in divorce mediation as like the old saying goes “I could get hit by a bus tomorrow” so it’s always best to make every attempt to be self-sustaining.

Should you have any questions about spousal support in your particular case, please feel free to contact me, NJ divorce mediator Joseph Dillon at (908) 864-2177 or via e-mail and I’d be happy to meet with you and your spouse to help you determine what an appropriate amount of alimony might be in your particular case.