Rhode Island Alimony is spousal support ordered by a Rhode Island Family Court Judge to be paid by one spouse to the other spouse.
The payment is for the sustenance and maintenance of the spouse because the Rhode Island Divorce Judge has considered various factors and determined that one spouse is in need of financial assistance.
The financial assistance (Rhode Island Alimony) is typically awarded for a set period of time and is a set amount of money. The judge usually endeavors to afford enough time and enough money to be paid to the needy spouse to give him or her time to readjust to working life, upgrade or obtain new job skills or to rehabilitate him or herself; and be able to reach a point where her or she can take care of him or her self.
The Rhode Island Divorce Court judge will also consider the needs of the payer spouse as well as his or her ability to pay the alimony to the payee (spouse receiving alimony) and the payor spouse's own needs.
It is perhaps best to understand that alimony is not usually as it is portrayed on television in Rhode Island. It is rehabilitative in nature and not to sustain the same level of comfort.
Television often portrays alimony as either a penalty against an offending spouse (i.e. unfaithful spouse) or for the alimony recipient to be able to maintain the financial status and level of living that she has been accustomed to. If a spouse is used to a butler, maid, and five star restaurants at least four (4) days a week that is the standard of living that the spouse enjoyed while being married. Forget that television drama.
It is not the duty of the Rhode Island Divorce Judge to preserve the standard of living of a spouse.
The key word to remember when thinking of Rhode Island Divorce and alimony is "rehabilitative". Alimony in Rhode Island is awarded to enable a spouse who is unable to take care of himself or herself because he or she has been out of the workforce too long or simply does not have the skill necessary at this time to reenter the job market.
Alimony is usually awarded to give the needy spouse enough time to rehabilitate himself or herself and be able to survive on his or her own.
* The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law and has no procedure for recognition of specialty in any area of law.
Authored by:
Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
PEARSALL LAW ASSOCIATES
571 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI 02910
Phone: (401) 354-2369
NOTE: The postings on this website are NOT legal advice, DO NOT create an attorney/client relationship and are NOT a substitute for a detailed consultation with an attorney experienced in the state where you have your legal issue. This site is presented for the convenience of the internet public.
