Alimony & Spousal Support

Alimony Attorneys in Montgomery County

Financial Support During Separation, Divorce & Beyond

Alimony refers to financial support that a dependent spouse may receive after a divorce decree is entered. This is different from spousal support or alimony pendente lite (APL). Spousal support generally applies after separation and before divorce proceedings begin, while alimony pendente lite provides temporary support while a divorce action is pending.

The applicable support analysis depends on the stage of the case, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, whether children are involved, and the parties’ financial needs and obligations. The court will consider a number of factors when determining whether post-divorce alimony is necessary, including the age and health of each spouse, the length of the marriage, the marital standard of living, and child-custody responsibilities.

Call (215) 544-3974 to discuss which type of financial support applies to your circumstances and what information may affect your position.

Support Analysis, Negotiation & Litigation

Our attorneys practice exclusively in Pennsylvania family law and represent spouses seeking support as well as those responding to a claim. We analyze income evidence and consider how spousal support may interact with child support, equitable distribution, and other divorce-related financial issues.

We pursue negotiated resolutions and alternative dispute resolution, meaning methods of resolving disputes outside trial, when those approaches fit the client’s goals. When the parties can’t resolve a support dispute, we’re prepared to present the relevant financial evidence and protect our client’s position in court.

In determining whether alimony is necessary and deciding the nature, amount, duration, and manner of payment, the court considers all relevant factors, including:

The relative earnings and earning capacities of the parties.
The ages and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions of the parties.
The sources of income of both parties, including medical, retirement, insurance, and other benefits.
The expectancies and inheritances of the parties.
The duration of the marriage.
The contribution by one party to the education, training, or increased earning power of the other party.
The extent to which a party’s earning power, expenses, or financial obligations are affected by serving as the custodian of a minor child.
The standard of living established during the marriage.
The relative education of the parties and the time necessary for the party seeking alimony to obtain sufficient education or training for appropriate employment.
The relative assets and liabilities of the parties.
The property brought to the marriage by either party.
The contribution of a spouse as homemaker.
The relative needs of the parties.
The marital misconduct of either party during the marriage. Misconduct after the date of final separation generally isn’t considered in an alimony determination, except that the court considers the abuse of one party by the other.
The federal, state, and local tax ramifications of an alimony award.
Whether the party seeking alimony lacks sufficient property to provide for reasonable needs.
Whether the party seeking alimony is incapable of self-support through appropriate employment.

Financial Evidence in an Alimony Case

No single statutory factor determines whether alimony is appropriate or what its terms should be. Relevant financial disclosure may include tax returns, pay records, benefit information, retirement income, recurring expenses, debts, and documentation of available assets.

Income analysis can require closer review when a spouse is self-employed, owns a business, receives variable compensation, or has access to substantial non-wage resources. The court may also evaluate earning capacity rather than relying solely on reported income. If circumstances materially and continuously change after an order is entered, modification, suspension, termination, or reinstatement may become an issue.

Contact Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC to discuss the financial evidence, statutory factors, and support terms that may affect your case.

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I appreciated David Draganosky’s informed guidance and willingness to move forward diligently, which set the stage for a favorable resolution. Your firm’s reputation for highly experienced, client-focused and efficient service is well-deserved.

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I was wary about my rights as a father with my children and concerned about having enough time with them during the week and for holidays and breaks from school. Your help in hammering out a very detailed and fair custody agreement was appreciated more tha

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Lori Shemtob and her associates were the perfect choice. Lori has the perfect demeanor to defuse any volatile situation.

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Cynthia’s practical knowledge of negotiation and the law helped me in a tense situation where my ex-husband did not want me to take the kids with me and then refused to pay any support.

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Spousal Support & Alimony Pendente Lite

Spousal support and alimony pendente lite are temporary forms of financial support, but they apply at different stages. Spousal support generally concerns the period after separation and before a divorce complaint is filed. Alimony pendente lite applies while a divorce or annulment action is pending, and the two types of orders aren’t simultaneously effective.

Pennsylvania support guidelines provide formulas for evaluating spousal support and alimony pendente lite. Determining each spouse’s actual income and earning capacity is central to estimating a guideline amount, particularly when compensation varies or a party’s reported income doesn’t reflect the full financial picture.

If you have children, the spousal support or alimony pendente lite analysis is coordinated with child support. Because we handle both types of support matters, we can evaluate the combined financial issues rather than treating each obligation in isolation.

Pennsylvania Support Guidelines & Potential Deviations

A guideline calculation is generally presumed to be correct when a support duty exists, but it isn’t necessarily the final amount. A court may consider whether the guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate based on special needs, special obligations, and other permitted deviation factors.

Our analysis addresses whether a client is seeking support, contesting a request, or addressing the amount or duration of an existing order. We review the applicable support category, income evidence, earning-capacity questions, and the relationship between spousal and child support.

Support Proceedings in Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Domestic Relations Section establishes, modifies, and enforces child and spousal support orders. Depending on the matter, the process may involve filings, financial documentation, a support conference, a hearing, enforcement proceedings, or a request to modify an existing order.

The Domestic Relations Section administers support proceedings, but it doesn’t advise either party about the legal position to take. From our Blue Bell office, we help Montgomery County clients prepare financial information, understand the issues under review, and present their position during negotiations or contested proceedings.

Discuss Your Financial Support Position

Our Montgomery County alimony lawyers explain how courts evaluate alimony, spousal support, and alimony pendente lite. We represent spouses seeking support and those responding to a claim, using negotiation when possible and litigation when necessary.

Contact Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC today to discuss your financial support position and next steps. Call (215) 544-3974 or contact us online.

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We learn your story and we live it. Our team prides themselves on listening and learning every fine detail. More importantly, we remember those details in court and at the negotiation table. When you put your case in our hands, we provide you with the personal attention and commitment you and your case deserve.
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Our attorneys believe it is their duty to empower and educate people about their rights in divorce. Propelled by a responsibility to give back to the community, several divorce lawyers within the firm regularly speak and teach at civic groups and bar associations.
Reputable & Trusted Family Law Attorneys
Named as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer each year since 2006, the firm’s founder, Lori K. Shemtob, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) — an esteemed honor held by only 74 family law lawyers in all of Pennsylvania. She served as AAML’s President of the Pennsylvania Chapter from July 2016 through July 2017.
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Our story begins with a group of lawyers who came from big firms with a passion to create a better experience for our clients. Each lawyer's knowledge and experience contribute to innovative strategies in court and settlement negotiations. Our commitment to excellence takes our divorce and family law firm well beyond the ordinary.