Serving Clients in Alexandria, Leesburg and Throughout Northern Virginia
If you are considering filing for or are already a party to a divorce proceeding, you may be uncertain about your options regarding spousal support. Whether you are potentially the payer or the recipient of spousal support, you want an experienced attorney to protect your rights.
At the office of Lieblich & Grimes, P.C., we provide comprehensive counsel to men and women in Northern Virginia, including military personnel and federal government employees. We take a hands-on approach, working closely with you to identify practical solutions that work toward your goals.
Our firm is AV-rated* under Martindale-Hubbell's Peer Review Rating System for our demonstrated experience and commitment to ethical practice.
Understanding Spousal Support in Virginia
In Virginia, spousal support, sometimes called alimony or separate maintenance, is not automatically granted, but may be ordered at the discretion of the court depending on a number of factors, including:
- The length of the marriage
- The disparity (if any) between the parties' incomes
- The age and health of the parties
- The needs and obligations of the parties
- The standard of living to which the parties were accustomed
For long marriages with great income disparities, a party is likely to receive more support over a longer period of time. After weighing all statutory factors, the court will determine the amount of support, which is usually payable on a monthly basis for a set period of time, though it can be payable in a lump sum or in installments. In certain cases, such as if a spouse has a special need, support may be granted without a term-limit. Spousal support is seen as taxable income for the recipient and is tax deductible for the party required to pay.
We will help you determine whether spousal support is warranted and, if so, the amount, frequency and duration of payments. We understand the situations where spousal support needs to be temporary and when it should be permanent.
Spousal Support Modification
Spousal support is always modifiable if there is a significant change in circumstances. Typical situations include job loss, if the recipient remarries or other factors. We can help you determine whether your situation qualifies for modification, gather relevant evidence, prepare and file all the necessary documents and be your representative throughout the proceeding.
Contact Us
To schedule an appointment with an experienced Alexandria spousal support lawyer, contact us online or call us at 703-683-6300 in Alexandria or 703-858-9470 in Leesburg.
*AV, BV and CV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.
