Permanent spousal support is also called permanent alimony. It is a type of support awarded in a divorce. Permanent spousal support is intended to be long-term financial assistance for one of the spouses. In Michigan, permanent spousal support is typically granted when one spouse is unlikely to be able to support themselves after a divorce, often due to age and health or significantly lower earning potential.
Unlike some other states, Michigan does not follow a strict formula to determine alimony payments. Instead, Michigan courts consider a wide range of factors to assess the need for spousal support and how much support is necessary. Permanent support may be granted in situations where the couple has been married a long time or where one spouse gave up their career to support the marriage and family. Ultimately, the court’s goal is to ensure fairness rather than to punish or reward the parties.
If you’re divorcing and want to learn more about Michigan spousal support, an experienced family lawyer at Kraayeveld Family Law can help you understand your options.
Other Types of Spousal Support in Michigan
There are a few other types of spousal support available in Michigan. Courts consider each spouse’s specific financial circumstances before granting an award.
For example:
- Temporary spousal support – Temporary support can be awarded during the divorce process. It’s granted to help maintain the status quo until a final judgment is entered at the end of the divorce proceedings. After the divorce is final and temporary support ends, the recipient spouse may or may not continue to receive spousal support.
- Rehabilitative or periodic spousal support – This is a temporary type of support to help a spouse become self-sufficient through education or job training.
- Lump-sum payments – Lump-sum spousal support payments are relatively rare. They’re designed to provide support for the recipient spouse all at once rather than making regular alimony payments. The lump sum often comes from a bigger share of the couple’s assets.
Permanent spousal support in Michigan is also relatively rare. Spouses are more likely to receive permanent support when they were married for a significant time and gave up their own earning power to support the other spouse and care for the family.
For example, imagine a couple married for 30-40 years, where one partner stayed home to raise children. It’s challenging to re-enter the job market after a significant gap in work history, especially if their skills and education are outdated. That can result in substantial financial disparities. Therefore, courts may deem long-term spousal support necessary to maintain a reasonable standard of living for the supported spouse.
Michigan Alimony Laws and Factors Considered in Awarding Support
Michigan’s alimony statute allows family courts the discretion to decide if spousal support is needed or equitable.
Judges will consider many factors when assessing a divorcing spouse’s need for financial support, including:
- Age and health of both spouses
- Contributions to the marriage, including homemaking and childrearing
- Each spouse’s income and earning potential
- The receiving spouse’s financial need and the paying spouse’s ability to pay
- Length of the marriage
- Standard of living during marriage
Note that all support orders are subject to modification if either spouse’s circumstances change. Spousal support payments may also end if the recipient remarries or either party dies.
How Kraayeveld Family Law Can Help
If you are navigating a divorce and have questions about spousal support in Michigan, the experienced family law attorneys at Kraayeveld Family Law are ready to help. Our law firm has over 30 years of experience handling complex spousal support matters, including permanent spousal support.
Contact us for a confidential consultation for more information about how Michigan alimony laws may apply to your divorce.
