Spousal Support in Oklahoma Divorce
Spousal support is an amount of money that one spouse pays to another, either monthly or in one lump sum, following a divorce. Spousal support is not a required part of a divorce settlement; rather, it is intended to bridge the gap between any financial inequality between the two parties.
Types of Spousal Support
There are two types of spousal support under Oklahoma law:
- Spousal maintenance: paid by one spouse to the other for the duration of the divorce proceedings. Spousal maintenance payments will cease after the divorce is final.
- Alimony: ordered as part of the final divorce, to be paid monthly for a set duration or indefinitely. Alimony can come in the form of money or property.
Who Can Receive Spousal Support?
It is a common misconception that only the wife is eligible to receive spousal support. In fact, either spouse can be eligible to receive spousal support if the necessary qualifications are met.
In determining a type and amount of spousal support, the court will review a number of factors, including:
- The length of the marriage
- Age of each spouse
- Each spouse’s ability to support himself or herself
Spousal support agreements can be modified or even cancelled if the receiving spouse remarries or if there is a significant change to either spouse’s financial situation.
Assistance with Spousal Support
To learn more about spousal support and whether it may be a factor in your divorce, schedule a free consultation with the Edge Law Firm today.