Maintenance, previously known as alimony, is a spouse’s right to support. The court uses a number of factors in determining maintenance. Key factors include:

• The length of time the parties were married;
• The disparity of earnings between the parties in the divorce;
• The age and health of both parties;
• Each party's future ability to acquire income and/or assets;
• The standard of living established during the course of the marriage.

The court often grants maintenance for a set period of time and then requires a hearing to review the spousal support award. Alternatively, the court will terminate spousal support by applying factors established in the state statute. Although there a specific numerical guidelines for child support in Illinois, no such guidelines exist for awarding spousal support.

The court also has the authority to award temporary maintenance while the divorce is pending. The temporary maintenance order ends when the court enters the divorce judgment (i.e., judgment of dissolution).

Disputes over spousal maintenance frequently arise during the course of the divorce case, whether it involves the court awarding spousal support or determining the amount of spousal support. Therefore, it is essential that have a lawyer on your side to help you through the process.

Call Thomas Law Group, P.C. at 866-848-9183 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We can discuss your case and start to develop legal strategies to best protect your interests.