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Spousal Support Lawyers in Salem, Oregon

Even in an amicable divorce, knowing your rights under the law is crucial. Whether you’re seeking spousal support or are required to pay it, our divorce lawyers at Johnson and Taylor aggressively represent your interests and help you achieve an equitable agreement. Our legal team helps you understand the elements that go into determining support in Oregon and can negotiate an agreement that works for everyone involved.

What is Spousal Support?

There are three types of spousal support that you may be entitled to receive. Your divorce agreement or judgment is required to list the type that is put in place. Depending on the circumstances, the court may order just one type of support or more.

Transitional support is usually a short-term award. The judge considers how much money is needed to help one spouse obtain training or education that allows them to become self-sufficient.

Compensatory support is designed to compensate one spouse for their contributions to the education and/or career of the other spouse.

Spousal maintenance varies in the length of time it must be paid and can be permanent. The court takes many factors into consideration to determine how much money is required for a spouse to maintain the standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage.

Our family court attorneys are familiar with the nuances of spousal support in Oregon. We work to ensure you get the full amount of support to which you’re entitled under the law.

How Do Prenuptial Agreements Affect Spousal Support Payments?

Prenuptial agreements may eliminate or modify spousal support payments as long as both parties provided full financial disclosure and entered willingly into the agreement when it was created. Depending on the circumstances and nature of the prenup, in some cases, a judge may order spousal support even when there is a prenuptial agreement. Our spousal support lawyers are well-versed in handling all aspects of family law matters. We can review your prenuptial agreement and work to ensure your interests are protected.

How Are Spousal Support Amounts Determined?

Various elements are taken into account by the court when calculating the amount of spousal support awarded to a spouse. During the divorce process in Oregon, a judge considers the following factors that can affect the amount, type, and duration of support, including:

Transitional support

  • A spouse’s current training, employment skills, and work experience
  • The financial needs and resources of both parties
  • The duration of the marriage

Compensatory support

  • The amount, duration, and nature of one spouse’s contribution to the other’s education or career
  • The duration of the marriage
  • Relative earning capacities of both parties
  • The extent to which the contribution benefited the marital estate

Spousal maintenance

  • The duration of the marriage
  • The age of both parties
  • The health of both parties
  • The standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage
  • The financial needs and resources of both parties
  • Child support and custody arrangements

The duration and amount of spousal support that may be awarded varies depending on your specific circumstances. If you and your spouse are on good terms, your collaborative divorce lawyer can review both parties’ finances and negotiate a fair amount in your divorce settlement.

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Our Spousal Support Lawyers Work to Obtain a Fair Award for You

Spousal support is a complex issue that can be fraught with emotion. For the breadwinner of a marriage, spousal support can be a large financial obligation that may last for decades. For others, the amount of spousal support they receive can mean the difference between maintaining a certain standard of living and suddenly having to endure serious financial difficulty.

Our experienced divorce lawyers provide the tenacious representation you need to obtain a fair judgment. We can often achieve this through negotiation or mediation, but will gladly advocate for you in court if necessary.

If you need assistance with modifying, terminating, or enforcing an existing order, we can help with that, too. Whether you’re paying or receiving spousal support, our compassionate, knowledgeable legal team understands the factors involved and what it takes to reach an equitable spousal support agreement. Our team includes some of the best family law attorneys in Oregon. Our spousal support lawyers strive to provide the exceptional legal representation you deserve.

Our team litigates personal injury, divorce, family law, estate planning, and probate cases as well. Our divorce and family law attorneys and estate planning and probate lawyers serve clients in Marion, Polk, and Linn Counties and other surrounding communities.

Contact Our Spousal Support Lawyers in Salem, Oregon

At Johnson and Taylor, our family law attorneys are the advocates you need to tell your side of the story and protect your financial security. Members of our family law team are fluent in Spanish. If you need assistance with obtaining, modifying, or enforcing a spousal support order, we can help. Call our office at 503-990-6641 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a spousal support lawyer in Salem, OR today.