Tucson Alimony Attorneys

Helping You Understand & Navigate Alimony Laws in Arizona

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a court-ordered payment that one spouse makes to the other after a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage. Alimony is not awarded in every divorce case, and the amount and duration of alimony payments can vary widely.

At Karp & Weiss, our Tucson alimony lawyers have been helping clients navigate the complexities of alimony laws in Arizona for over 60 years. We understand the financial and emotional challenges that come with divorce, and we are here to provide the compassionate guidance you need. Our team can help you understand your rights and options, and we can work to protect your best interests throughout the legal process.

Do you have questions about alimony in Arizona? Call (520) 645-8500 or contact us online to request a consultation with our Tucson alimony attorneys.

How Is Alimony Determined in Arizona?

Unlike child support, there is no specific formula for calculating alimony in Arizona. Instead, the court will consider a variety of factors when determining whether to award alimony and, if so, how much and for how long.

Some of the factors the court will consider include:

• The length of the marriage
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The age, health, and earning capacity of each spouse
• The financial resources of each spouse
• The time it will take for the spouse seeking alimony to become self-sufficient
• The contributions of each spouse to the other’s education or career
• The ability of the paying spouse to meet their own needs while paying alimony
• The financial and tax consequences of alimony
• Any other factors the court deems relevant

It is important to note that Arizona courts do not consider marital misconduct when determining alimony. This means that a spouse who cheated or otherwise engaged in bad behavior during the marriage will not be penalized when it comes to alimony.

How Long Does Alimony Last in Arizona?

Like the amount of alimony, the duration of alimony can vary widely. In some cases, alimony may only be awarded for a few months or years. In other cases, alimony may be awarded indefinitely. In general, the court will consider the length of the marriage when determining the duration of alimony. The longer the marriage, the longer the alimony payments are likely to last.

Can Alimony Be Modified or Terminated?

Alimony is not set in stone. In fact, it is relatively common for alimony to be modified or terminated after a divorce. If you are paying or receiving alimony and you experience a significant change in circumstances, you may be able to request a modification of the alimony order.

Some of the reasons you may be able to modify or terminate alimony include:

• The paying spouse loses their job or experiences a significant decrease in income
• The receiving spouse gets a job or experiences a significant increase in income
• The receiving spouse gets remarried or enters into a new domestic partnership
• The receiving spouse moves in with a new romantic partner
• The receiving spouse becomes self-sufficient
• The paying spouse reaches retirement age
• The paying spouse becomes disabled

If you are paying alimony and you lose your job, you should not simply stop making payments. Instead, you should immediately request a modification of the alimony order. If the court agrees that you have experienced a significant change in circumstances, it may temporarily reduce or suspend your alimony payments.

Can Alimony Be Paid in a Lump Sum?

In some cases, the court may order the paying spouse to make a lump sum alimony payment. This is a one-time payment that is intended to satisfy the paying spouse’s alimony obligation. Lump sum alimony is typically only awarded when the paying spouse has the financial resources to make the payment and the receiving spouse agrees to accept a lump sum payment.

Do you have questions about alimony in Arizona? Call (520) 645-8500 or contact us online to request a consultation with our Tucson alimony attorneys.