Southern Minnesota Alimony Attorney

Understanding the Three Types of Spousal Support in Minnesota

TThere are actually three different types of alimony that may be granted under Minnesota state law to the party seeking maintenance. The type of spousal spousal at issue in your case will depend on the specific circumstances. Here are the three different types of spousal support that can be awarded in Minnesota:

1. Temporary Alimony: Temporary spousal support is a specialized form of spousal support that can be awarded to a financially-vulnerable spouse during the divorce process itself. It automatically terminates once a divorce petition is finalized. From there, temporary spousal support may transition into short-term or long-term spousal support. If you have any questions about temporary alimony, our Southern Minnesota family lawyer can help. 
2. Short-Term Alimony: In Minnesota, short-term alimony is effectively a defined term alimony. It will start following a divorce and end on a pre-specified date. Most often, short-term alimony is proportional to the length of the marriage. However, that is not guaranteed under the law. Other factors matter as well.
3. Long-Term Alimony: Long-term spousal support is only granted in a limited number of cases in Minnesota. Typically, it is awarded after a lengthy marriage in which there is a significant gap in future earning potential between the parties and the recipient is deemed to be unlikely to become economically self-sufficient. Long-term spousal support in Minnesota generally does not have a predetermined end date. Though, the paying spouse can potentially request a review in the future to determine if payments should continue.

An Overview of the Spousal Support Factors in Minnesota

With child support, there are preset guidelines that Minnesota uses to determine the appropriate amount. However, there is no set formula for determining spousal support in our state. Instead, the law instructs courts to review the specific circumstances of the marriage and the divorce to determine the appropriate spousal support award—if spousal support is deemed warranted at all. Courts can consider a wide variety of different factors in alimony cases in Minnesota, including:  

• The total duration of the marriage; 
• The contributions/sacrifices for marriage and family; 
• The current and likely future earning power of each party; 
• The standard of living that parties became accustomed to during the marriage; 
• The age and current health status of each party; and
• Any other factors deemed relevant to determine an equitable outcome. 

Spousal support should always be handled on a case-by-case basis in Southern Minnesota. The facts of the case always matter. As an example, a person who gave up their career to care for their children who then gets divorced after 20 years of marriage is a strong candidate for spousal support in Minnesota. On the other hand, a person who gets divorced after two years of marriage and who has nearly equal income to their former spouse is unlikely to receive any form of alimony.

Our Divorce Lawyer Handles All Types of Alimony Cases

Regardless of the specific nature and circumstances of your situation, the family law team at At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd has the professional skills and legal experience that you can rely on. We handle the full spectrum of spousal support cases—representing both parties who are paying and who are receiving alimony. Along with other types of spousal support matters, our Southern Minnesota alimony lawyers are prepared to assist you with: 

• Negotiation of spousal support agreement as part of a divorce; 
• Litigation of spousal support as part of a contested divorce; 
• Collection of delinquent spousal support; 
• The modification of a spousal support order; and
• Termination of spousal support for remarriage or cohabitation of recipient. 

Why Choose Our Mankato Family Law Attorneys

Spousal support cases can be complicated. It is normal to have a lot of questions about your legal rights and legal options during and after a divorce. Whether you are a potential payer or recipient of alimony, you deserve top-quality legal guidance and advice. At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., we have the family law experience and financial skills to handle these cases. Among other things, our Southern Minnesota alimony lawyers are prepared to: 

• Listen to your story, explain your legal rights, and answer questions about alimony;
• Carefully gather and organize all of your financial documents and records;
• Represent you in any divorce and/or alimony settlement negotiations; and
• Devise a comprehensive legal strategy to help you get the best possible results. 

Contact Our Southern Minnesota Spousal Support Attorney Today

At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., our Southern Minnesota spousal support lawyer has the skills and legal experience to handle all aspects of divorce cases. We are committed to protecting the rights of our clients. If spousal support is an issue in your divorce case, our family team can help. Contact us today for a fully confidential consultation. From our legal offices in Mankato and Rochester, we handle alimony cases throughout Southern Minnesota, including in Olmsted County, Dodge County, Steeler County, Blue Earth County, Le Sueur County, and Nicollet County.