If you and your spouse have decided to follow through with divorce under Illinois law, you may be well aware that a barrage of decisions is waiting to be made. One of these important determinations may be whether or not alimony, paying or receiving, is going to be a part of your outcome. Often, this decision is made after considering a variety of factors, as well as taking into account the personal desires of both you and your spouse.
According to the Huffington Post, the standard of living during your marriage is an important aspect to be considered in determining whether or not any alimony will be paid out. For example, if you have been the sole breadwinner during the relationship and your spouse does not currently have a job, a decision may be made in favor of you contributing so much to your spouse over a certain time period. Courts will also evaluate your ability to adequately provide such payments and whether or not your spouse is capable of earning money and providing for him or herself. Factors including health and age may also be used in reaching a decision.
From a financial standpoint, how much you owe or will receive from alimony agreements is heavily dependent on a variety of aspects. These include the following:
- Royalties
- Trust income
- Wages
- Commissions
- Bonuses
- Salaries
Whether or not you choose to accept alimony payments if you are on the receiving end, is entirely a personal decision for you to make. To your benefit, if you opt to deny alimony, you have the ability to completely move on from your previous relationship. The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice.