Spousal Maintenance Attorneys in Vancouver, WA

Spousal Maintenance in Washington State

Spousal maintenance, also called alimony, addresses income imbalances that arise during a marriage. When one spouse earned significantly more than the other -- perhaps because one stayed home caring for children -- the higher-earning spouse may be required to pay support to help the other maintain a comparable lifestyle during or after divorce. The court awards this support based on income disparity, not gender.

Factors Courts Consider

Washington State RCW 26.09.090 establishes the criteria courts evaluate when determining spousal maintenance:

• The requesting spouse's current financial circumstances
• The time needed to acquire job skills or education matching their abilities
• The lifestyle established during the marriage or domestic partnership
• The duration of the marriage or domestic partnership
• The paying spouse's ability to provide support without creating financial hardship

Long-Term Marriages

Marriages lasting approximately 20 to 25 years receive special treatment from the courts. In these cases, courts recognize that both parties likely contributed to the household economy in some capacity. The objective becomes ensuring relatively equal income distribution to maintain comparable financial positions after divorce.

Modifying Spousal Maintenance

Paying spouses may petition to reduce or eliminate alimony following substantial, unexpected financial changes like job loss. Recipients requesting modifications typically do so after changes in their professional circumstances.

According to RCW 26.09.170, spousal maintenance obligations terminate upon either party's death or the recipient's new marriage or domestic partnership.

Whether you are seeking spousal maintenance, defending against a request, or pursuing a modification, our attorneys provide strategic guidance tailored to your situation. Contact us today for a consultation.