What entitles a spouse to alimony?

Not every former spouse receives alimony, which is also called spousal support or maintenance. Alimony will be awarded only when a former spouse is unable to meet their needs without financial assistance from a spouse who can afford to pay it.

What is spousal support in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, when one spouse pays financial assistance to help the other spouse, that assistance is called “alimony.” (Alimony is sometimes referred to as “spousal support” or “maintenance”.) Arkansas judges have wide discretion in deciding whether to award alimony, as well as the amount and duration.

Can a divorced spouse file for alimony in Arkansas?

Arkansas Alimony Law Summary. In the state of Arkansas, a divorced spouse, or spouse in the process of filing a divorce, may file for an alimony order for the individual to maintain the standard of living maintained during the marriage.

What is the spousal support law in Arkansas?

Arkansas spousal support laws are rather vague. The applicable statute simply says that judges can issue alimony orders “as are reasonable from the circumstances of the parties and the nature of the case.” (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312 (a) (1).)

How is alimony different from child support in Ar?

Know this, though: every divorce is not created equal. Alimony in AR follows a much more complex standard than, say, child support, which can be the “teeth” of the divorce law when you consider things like ‘wage garnishment’ and ‘liens,’ common tactics generally used to enforce child support payments.

What makes a reasonable alimony award in Arkansas?

Alimony in Arkansas has to be reasonable, meaning fair and logical when weighed against the individual facts of the case. There is no exclusive list of factors Arkansas courts (or just courts) will look at to decide what makes a reasonable and fair alimony award.

What are the divorce laws in Arkansas?

Arkansas Divorce Laws at a Glance. Under Arkansas statute, no-fault divorce is granted only when the parties have lived “separate and apart” (no cohabitation) for 18 continuous months. A legal separation is not necessary for meeting this requirement.

What are adultery laws in Arkansas?

Adultery plays a special role in Arkansas divorce law. The Arkansas Code specifically provides that adultery is a “grounds,” or basis, for divorce. This applies to regular civil marriages as well as “covenant marriages” (which are identical to other civil marriages except that the couple has undergone special premarital counseling).

How can I get Out of paying alimony?

There are generally two ways you can get out of paying out alimony you have been ordered to pay: (1) meeting conditions in the court’s order or (2) meeting conditions in state law. The court order requiring you to pay alimony should set forth the circumstances under which alimony will terminate.

Who qualifies for spousal support?

Qualifying. To qualify for spousal support if you are in a common-law relationship, you must have lived with your partner for at least three years or have been in a steady relationship with him and have had or adopted a child with him. A number of factors are considered in determining whether or not spousal support should be paid,…