Everything You Need To Know About Alimony
Many people feel they can’t leave a bad or even abusive marriage for financial reasons. It’s common for one spouse to make significantly more than the other, and sometimes, one spouse stays at home and has been out of the workforce for a while. They don’t take action because they don’t see a way to survive without their spouse’s income. Alimony aims to resolve this problem. It’s a regular payment made from one spouse to the other after divorce to cover living expenses. The amount is based on the couple’s current standard of living, so those who lived lavish lifestyles before the divorce will receive higher payments than those who lived frugally. For a court to grant alimony, one spouse must prove they need the financial support and the other can provide it. Unsurprisingly, alimony is often a highly contentious issue. The two sides frequently disagree on how much support one spouse needs, how much the other spouse can pay, and how long payments should last. The spouse who receives support needs to maximize their earning potential — that is, reenter the workforce or, in some cases, find a new job at the highest pay possible for their experience and skills. Both sides frequently debate how much the receiving spouse could earn, and though the rules vary widely by jurisdiction, experts are often called to provide an opinion.
Though many people think it seems obvious, there’s also often a disagreement about how much the higher-earning spouse actually makes. Many people are self-employed, so simply reviewing their tax returns is insufficient to determine their income. Overall cash flow, along with perks and benefits provided by their business, will need to be reviewed. Courts generally cap alimony at a percentage of the paying spouse’s gross income. In other words, they cannot pay out more of their income than they keep. Alimony amounts are also influenced by the length of the marriage and the time period they’ll make payments. Alimony rarely lasts forever and will almost always terminate once the payer enters retirement or the recipient remarries. There is nothing simple about calculating alimony payments, so anyone getting a divorce needs an attorney on their side. If you know someone seeking or contesting alimony — or whose spouse is not paying court-ordered alimony — Bruce Law Firm is here to help. Our experienced attorneys are standing by to procure a fair and equitable outcome.
The whole firm enjoying our holiday party in City Place
Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast
Inspired by DiabetesStrong.com
This succulent chicken stuffed with cheese, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes is impressive on the plate but easy in the kitchen! Our recipe makes 2 servings.
Ingredients
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2 chicken breasts
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2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 tsp curry powder
2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 10 large basil leaves, chopped
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 365 F.
2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!
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