How Does Spousal Support Work in MN
Spousal support (also called alimony) is one of the most important issues to settle during a divorce. It is not awarded in all divorce cases – it is used when one spouse cannot meet his/her needs without financial assistance. It is not a punishment but the court recognizes that there are instances in which one spouse is financially dependent on the other at the time of the divorce. This financial inequity or earning discrepancy means that the spouse that is less well-off is entitled to receive financial support to help him/her establish their life after the divorce. Johnson Mediation specializes in helping couples find ways to solve issues related to their divorce. If you live in Minnesota, our team can help you navigate the process of determining whether spousal support is necessary in your case, without a long and expensive court battle.
If you are considering mediation as a way to settle your divorce, you may wonder how the process works with the most complex, difficult and emotionally charged issues like the determination of spousal support. After all, in the weeks and months heading into a divorce, conflict can be extremely high and you and your divorcing spouse may not be able to agree on anything at all. Mediation is a cost effective and efficient way to settle all aspects of a divorce, including the determination of spousal support. Johnson Mediation understands the complex nature of divorce and the emotions that come along with it and will work with you to find workable solutions that will help set a positive tone for your future. We serve individuals and couples in the Chanhassen, Shakopee, Richfield, Bloomington, MN area.
Many divorcing couples are concerned that mediation may not work. They are fearful that their situation may be too difficult or they may not know a lot about mediation. Although some couples are able to be fairly respectful of one another and work together in divorce mediation, this does not mean you should compare yourself to them. More than most, divorces are not this smooth. Due to things that have happened in the past, complex emotions arise and make it extremely difficult to negotiate with one another. If you are experiencing the troubles of not being able to negotiate it will be very beneficial for the two of you to go to a mediator in order to delegate.
Spousal support is a financial agreement reached either by a court proceeding or by mutual consent of the couple in the process of divorce. In the latter case, mutual consent generally occurs when a divorcing couple works with a divorce mediator, like our staff at Johnson Mediation. More and more couples are choosing divorce mediation instead of the more traditional approach of working through the court system with lawyers representing each person. The court system tends to be more expensive and time-consuming, and much less convenient for the people seeking divorce and resolution about issues of spousal and/or child support payments. If you and your spouse are able to work together, these issues may well become simpler to resolve.
