Spousal support and alimony are both the same thing. It is available in Michigan, and there is no requirement that the marriage have survived for any set number of years before it is available.
Michigan law provides for a spouse's health, education, maintenance, and welfare to be paid by his/her spouse in certain cases. It is not considered to be part of the marital division of property.
Whether or not spousal support should be awarded depends upon a number of factors. The standard of living that the husband and wife enjoyed prior to the divorce; the health of both parties; the ability of the parties to pay support; their ages; their present situations; and abilities to work are all considered, along with the amount of property that they received in the divorce.
Spousal support can be ordered for limited amount of time, or until a certain event occurs. The judge will decide what is best, and his or her decision will only be overturned by the appellate court if that decision is found to be unjust and unfair.
Having legal counsel to advocate for you during the determination of spousal support is important.
Please feel free to
contact Sakis & Sakis for a free, initial legal consultation.
We are honored to have clients in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, and to serve those residing in such municipalities as the City of Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Gross Pointe, Dearborn, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Farmington, Birmingham, Rochester, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lake Orion, Auburn Hills, Clawson, Berkley, Southfield, Pontiac, Utica, Shelby Township, Rochester Hills and Troy.
