Alimony is a tool that is used to ensure that both spouses leaving a marriage after divorce do so on equal footing. For this reason, alimony payments are not ordered in every divorce case—only in situations where one spouse cannot meet their financial needs without help and support from the other spouse.
In some cases, both spouses have full-time careers and have been making similar salaries. Alimony tends to be unnecessary in these situations. Additionally, if the marriage was unusually short, a judge may choose not to award alimony.
In other cases, one spouse has served as the breadwinner, building their career and making an income to support the family, while the other spouse has either stayed at home to raise the family or worked a part-time or full-time job with a considerably lower income. The spouse who has not been the primary breadwinner will likely have a difficult time after the divorce because they will need to support themselves and any potential minor children who are also affected by the divorce.
Often, the spouse who has stayed home or worked a lower-income job may not have a solid work history or as much education as the breadwinning spouse, which can make it harder to reenter the workforce and to obtain a high-paying job that can support the family.
Alimony is designed to help level the playing field and assist this spouse as they begin their post-divorce life and starts the next chapter of their career. We talk more about the specifics of alimony in the next section, “Do alimony payments go on forever?”
Can Spousal Support Payments Be Modified?
In certain situations, alimony payments can be changed. This is often necessary if one spouse, particularly the spouse receiving alimony, gets remarried or becomes disabled. It also may be necessary in cases of new jobs or loss of employment.
It is important that, at the time of your divorce, the correct language be included in your marital settlement agreement to provide for such a potential situation. At the time of your divorce, we will see that the necessary language is included, and if a change needs to be made later on, we can help you make it.
Schedule a Free Legal Consultation in Schaumburg
When you meet with attorney Robert M. Kaplan to discuss your divorce, he will ask you questions to learn more about how alimony may factor in your situation. He will need to know about your current employment status, your annual salary, your professional skills and education, your health, your career prospects and goals, your monthly expenses, and your standard of living within your marriage.
The laws regarding spousal support payments are different depending on the state you live in, so it’s important to have an attorney who truly understands family law in Illinois on your side. If you need advice regarding your divorce and you live in the greater Chicago area, including Hoffman Estates, Rollings Meadows, and Schaumburg, don’t wait to contact us.
At the Law Offices of Robert M. Kaplan, we offer free legal consultations to potential new clients. To discuss your spousal support in Schaumburg, contact our attorney today.
Are you going through a divorce in Illinois? Do you worry about your divorce proceedings and the potential of alimony payments? Are you familiar with alimony laws in the Schaumburg, IL area? 
