What Is Alimony Based On in North Carolina?

People don’t think much about alimony these days when it comes to divorces. Decades ago, the “wronged” spouse could get alimony payments based on the other spouse’s misbehavior, such as infidelity or adultery. Alimony in such circumstances often was sought as much as a punitive measure as for any other reason. The advent of no-fault divorce, where no spouse needs to cite a reason for filing for divorce, has pretty much left alimony as a weapon in the dustbin of history. North Carolina, of course, is a no-fault divorce state. All you need to get a divorce in the state now is to live apart for a year with a stated intent to file for divorce and to have lived in the state for six months. Alimony mostly has become an afterthought in modern divorces, when it is a thought at all. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t available or that courts don’t award it in divorces.

What Is Alimony, and Who Can Get It?

Alimony is court-ordered payment to a spouse in a divorce to provide for “support and maintenance.” Payments usually are monthly, for a specified amount. Either party to a divorce can file a motion for alimony, but it can only be awarded to the dependent spouse to be paid by the supporting spouse if the court finds that an award of alimony is equitable under the circumstances.

Some things never change, though, and infidelity during the marriage by either spouse remains a factor in the alimony decision by the court. If the dependent spouse engaged in “illicit sexual behavior” during the marriage, then that spouse is barred from receiving alimony. On the flip side of that coin, if the supporting spouse is found to have committed adultery, then the judge may award alimony to the dependent spouse. In addition to marital misconduct, among the factors that figure into the court’s decision on awarding alimony include:

  • The earnings and earning capacity of each spouse
  • The length of the marriage
  • The standard of living the spouses enjoyed while a couple
  • The contributions of a spouse as a homemaker
  • The impact on a spouse’s earning power, expenses, or financial obligations as a result of having custody of children from the marriage.

More than a dozen other factors affecting the alimony decision are listed in the statute.

If You Have Alimony Questions, Talk to A Family Law Attorney for Answers

If you find you are getting divorced and believe you might be entitled to alimony, talk to the Charlotte family law attorneys of Remington & Dixon. You can reach us online or by telephone at 704-247-7110.

Alimony FAQs

How Is Alimony Paid?

State law allows a judge to order monthly or other periodic payments, lump-sum payments, transfer of property, or income withholding to pay alimony.

How Do I Know My Ex-Spouse Will Make the Alimony Payments?

Alimony payments can be secured by a bond, mortgage, deed of trust, or any other form of legal guarantee if the court deems such guarantee necessary.

How Long Do Alimony Payments Last?

The court can order alimony payments for an indefinite period or for a specified term, with the length of that term based on what the court finds to be appropriate and equitable.

FAQs

Are consultations free?

While we offer a free consultation on traffic matters, criminal matters, and most professional license defense cases, we charge a fee for family law consultations to personalize our consultations to your specific needs. To learn about our fee structure, please get in touch.

Where can I get legal advice?

We recommend meeting with an attorney. While there is free legal help available for North Carolina residents from pro bono resources for civil matters, and public defenders for criminal cases, the best way to access tailored advice is to hire a lawyer.

Can I hire you if I’m in another state?

This is done on a case by case basis if you are involved in a family law, criminal, or professional disciplinary matter that involves another jurisdiction.

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