SUPPORT

Support Attorney Services for Cranberry Township, Wexford, Canonsburg, And surrounding Communities

Support

Support during divorce is essential for a lower wage earning spouse to support themselves during litigation and to afford legal representation. Support is also frequently essential to the care of a child when there are differing incomes between parents.

Child Support

In Pennsylvania, the parent who has primary custody, or if shared custody the lower wage earning parent may file for child support. The incomes of both parties are used to determine the amount of child support pursuant to the statutory guideline. The Court may consider expenses such as childcare or activities when determining the obligation.

Because child support is calculated in according to a statute, it is always best to consult an attorney prior to filing or attending a support hearing. Having representation can either save you money if you are the high wage earning spouse or raise the obligation if you are the custodial parent. Unless you are trained to know deductions or exceptions to the statute, you may wish you had counsel once it is too late.

Spousal Support

Whether you are contemplating a divorce or considering filing for child support, the experienced attorneys at Myers Law Group, LLC are able to walk you through the process and stand up to fight for you financial well-being and that of your children. Myers Law Group, LLC is located in Cranberry Township, Canonsburg, and the surrounding areas.

Alimony Pendente Lite

Alimony Pendente Lite or APL is support paid to a financially dependent spouse during the litigation. APL may be payable until the divorce decree is entered and equitable distribution has been resolved by the parties or through court action. APL is there to allow both spouses to support themselves and hire an attorney while the divorce action is pending. APL is awarded in an attempt to put both parties on equal footing, therefore, even if the spouse seeking APL has committed adultery or one of the other grounds for a fault based divorce, they may be entitled to Alimony Pendente Lite.

If you find yourself in a situation in which you are contemplating a divorce and think you or your spouse may file a claim for APL you should contact an attorney to discuss your options, as they can help guide you through the process.

Alimony

Alimony is the money paid to a financially dependent spouse after the divorce decree is finalized and equitable distribution is resolved through the court or an agreement. In determining alimony, the court will consider both parties' income and the assets they were awarded during equitable distribution among other things. Alimony is awarded to a spouse only when they cannot meet their reasonable financial needs and their former spouse has not only the ability to meet their own reasonable needs but also the ability to assist the financially dependent spouse. Alimony is most commonly awarded in situations in which the marriage was long-term, one spouse suffers from a physical or mental disability, there is a great disparity in income, or when one spouse was the primary caretaker for minor children not yet in school.

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Types of Alimony

There are three types of alimony a party can receive:

Types of Alimony

Rehabilitative Alimony is when payments are awarded to a financially dependent former spouse for a specific amount of time to allow the former spouse to “rehabilitate” and independently support himself or herself.

Permanent Alimony

Permanent Alimony is when payments are made to a financially dependent former spouse for the rest of that party's life.

Reimbursement Alimony

Reimbursement Alimony is when payments are awarded to a former spouse as a means to reimburse them for expenses incurred for the benefit of the other spouse. This most frequently is awarded when one party pays for the majority of debt acquired by both parties during the marriage or when one spouse supported the family while the other obtained an education.

Unless the parties agree, it is up to the court's discretion to award alimony. If you find yourself in a situation in which you are contemplating a divorce and think you or your spouse may file a claim for alimony you should contact an attorney to discuss your options, as they can help guide you through the process.

If you have additional questions or would like to set up an initial consultation at Myers Law Group, LLC, call 724-778-8800 or email jeffrey@jpmyerslaw.com.