How is Alimony Calculated in Alabama?

Call

Visit

Maps & Directions

Schedule Your Initial Consultation

Home

About Us What Makes Us Different? Why Choose Us Client Reviews

What Makes Us Different?

Why Choose Us

Client Reviews

Attorneys Billy Shaun McGhee Thomas S. Smith Scott Smith

Billy Shaun McGhee

Thomas S. Smith

Scott Smith

Practice Areas Criminal Defense Expungement Assault Burglary Drug Crimes Drug Trafficking DUI White Collar Crimes Federal Criminal Law Property Crimes Sex Crimes College Student Arrests Criminal Defense FAQs Family Law Adoption Alimony & Support Child Custody & Relocation Child Support Custody & Visitation Divorce Divorce in Florida Domestic Violence Military Divorce Post-Decree Modification & Enforcements Property Division Family Law FAQs Personal Injury Car Accidents Distracted Driving Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Boating Accidents Pedestrian Accidents ATV Accidents Traumatic Brain Injuries PI FAQs Traffic Violations Premises Liability Slip And Fall Accidents Estate Planning, Probate & Litigation Probate/Estate Administration Wills, Trusts & Advance Directives Guardianships Trust Administration Estate Disputes

Criminal Defense Expungement Assault Burglary Drug Crimes Drug Trafficking DUI White Collar Crimes Federal Criminal Law Property Crimes Sex Crimes College Student Arrests Criminal Defense FAQs

Expungement

Assault

Burglary

Drug Crimes Drug Trafficking

Drug Trafficking

DUI

White Collar Crimes

Federal Criminal Law

Property Crimes

Sex Crimes

College Student Arrests

Criminal Defense FAQs

Family Law Adoption Alimony & Support Child Custody & Relocation Child Support Custody & Visitation Divorce Divorce in Florida Domestic Violence Military Divorce Post-Decree Modification & Enforcements Property Division Family Law FAQs

Adoption

Alimony & Support

Child Custody & Relocation

Child Support

Custody & Visitation

Divorce Divorce in Florida

Divorce in Florida

Domestic Violence

Military Divorce

Post-Decree Modification & Enforcements

Property Division

Family Law FAQs

Personal Injury Car Accidents Distracted Driving Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Boating Accidents Pedestrian Accidents ATV Accidents Traumatic Brain Injuries PI FAQs

Car Accidents Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted Driving Accidents

Truck Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Boating Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents

ATV Accidents

Traumatic Brain Injuries

PI FAQs

Traffic Violations

Premises Liability Slip And Fall Accidents

Slip And Fall Accidents

Estate Planning, Probate & Litigation Probate/Estate Administration Wills, Trusts & Advance Directives Guardianships Trust Administration Estate Disputes

Probate/Estate Administration

Wills, Trusts & Advance Directives

Guardianships

Trust Administration

Estate Disputes

Video FAQs

Blog

When a couple is married, they receive the benefit of financial support that inherently comes with marriage. If the marriage dissolves, this could cause a financial hardship for one of the parties, allowing them to ask for financial support from the other.

In the state of Alabama, alimony is also referred to as spousal support. This is the amount of money that one ex-spouse pays to another, by court order, for assistance. The payments are meant to help the receiving party preserve the economic status that they had during the marriage.

Alimony can be paid to an ex-spouse in several ways. It can be in a lump sum payment, called “alimony in gross,” or in periodic payments for a specified period. Here are the different types of alimony as well as how those figures are calculated in Alabama.

Alimony in Gross

Alimony in gross is a single, or lump sum, payment of spousal support that is often used as a way to transfer property or other assets. This is awarded by the courts, no modifications are possible, and the order is permanent 30 days after the final divorce decree. This type of alimony isn’t canceled by a remarriage and also ignores the recipient’s separate estate.

Periodic Alimony Payments

Periodic alimony is a set of specified payments that are made to an ex-spouse over a predetermined period of time. The courts may select an ending date for payments, or they might be permanent. For example, the courts might order an ex-spouse to pay $600 each month for 72 months, with a specific starting date. If the award is for permanent alimony, it will just specify that $600 per month should be paid with mention of a specific starting date.

Periodic alimony payments can be modified by the courts under certain conditions. For example, if the income of the parties changes or if the receiving party remarries, there is a possibility of modification.

Rehabilitative or Temporary Alimony

Rehabilitative or temporary alimony is similar to periodic alimony but the payments are for a shorter duration. When two parties divorce, it may take some time for one of them to get back on their financial feet and re-enter the workforce, if necessary. This type of support can be provided for several years so that an ex-spouse can finish their degree, pay off debts, and obtain gainful employment.

If there is a substantial change in the circumstances of one or both parties, it is possible to receive a modification on one of these support orders.

Factors Used to Calculate Alimony in Alabama

While there is no statutory formula for calculating alimony, the Alabama courts may consider certain factors when they award support. It is important to understand that the court will decide what factors to consider, and how to weight those considerations, when determining alimony. Unfortunately, this can lead to some inconsistent awards, which is just one of the reasons that having a qualified Alabama family law attorney on your case is essential.

Some of the factors that the court might consider when calculating and awarding alimony include:

The length of the marriage

Each party’s current wages and future earning capacity

The type and value of property owned

The ages and health of the parties

The conduct of the parties

Any other factors that the court feels are relevant

Alimony in Alabama is rarely awarded for marriages that lasted less than 12 years, but it does happen. Support can be awarded to either party in a divorce proceeding, even someone who didn’t request alimony. Finally, Alabama does allow for the prior misdeeds of a party to be a consideration in an alimony case.

Alimony in Alabama can be a complicated issue, and it’s nearly impossible to figure out these types of payments in advance. While the goal of the courts is to be fair, the best way to ensure that this happens is to have an experienced Alabama family law attorney in your corner. Contact the Dothan, Alabama office of Smith & McGhee now at 334-702-1744 or online to find out how we can best represent your interests.

Not Guilty Verdicts

STATE OF ALABAMA v DORNELL DENZEL ATTERBERRY UNDISCLOSED CC-2018-215 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v DORNELL DENZEL ATTERBERRY

UNDISCLOSED CC-2018-215

NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v DORNELL DENZEL ATTERBERRY UNDISCLOSED CC-2018-216 NOT GUILTY

UNDISCLOSED CC-2018-216

STATE OF ALABAMA v HENRY EARL OLDS UNDISCLOSED CC-2015-185 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v HENRY EARL OLDS

UNDISCLOSED CC-2015-185

STATE OF ALABAMA v ALLISON LAWRENCE GAMBLE UNDISCLOSED CC-2015-978 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v ALLISON LAWRENCE GAMBLE

UNDISCLOSED CC-2015-978

STATE OF ALABAMA v HENRY EARL OLDS UNDISCLOSED CC-2015-186 NOT GUILTY

UNDISCLOSED CC-2015-186

STATE OF ALABAMA v JAMES THOMAS WATTS BREAKING & ENTERING MOTOR VEHICLE CC-2014-26 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v JAMES THOMAS WATTS

BREAKING & ENTERING MOTOR VEHICLE CC-2014-26

STATE OF ALABAMA v MATTHEW PHILLIP WHITE SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST CC-2009-810 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v MATTHEW PHILLIP WHITE

SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST CC-2009-810

STATE OF ALABAMA v KEITHAN JACKSON POSS OF COCAIN CC-2007 -553 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v KEITHAN JACKSON

POSS OF COCAIN CC-2007 -553

STATE OF ALABAMA v WILLIAM ABBOTT JR POSS OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CC-2011-637 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v WILLIAM ABBOTT JR

POSS OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CC-2011-637

STATE OF ALABAMA v ROBERT CALHOUN SEXUAL ABUSE-CHILD LESS THAN 12 YOA CC-2009-1200 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v ROBERT CALHOUN

SEXUAL ABUSE-CHILD LESS THAN 12 YOA CC-2009-1200

STATE OF ALABAMA v JAMES DOUGLAS ODOM SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST CC-20 10-266 THRU CC-20 10-275 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v JAMES DOUGLAS ODOM

SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST CC-20 10-266 THRU CC-20 10-275

STATE OF ALABAMA v DAVID G COBB FAIL TO BURY LIVESTOCK DC-2014-208 THRU DC-2014-209, DC-2014-220 THRU DC-2014-224 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v DAVID G COBB

FAIL TO BURY LIVESTOCK DC-2014-208 THRU DC-2014-209, DC-2014-220 THRU DC-2014-224

STATE OF ALABAMA v DAVID G COBB CRUELTY TO ANIMALS DC-2014-191 THRU 207 NOT GUILTY

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS DC-2014-191 THRU 207

STATE OF ALABAMA v JESSICA LEE GUZMAN RAPE 2ND CC-20 12-178 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v JESSICA LEE GUZMAN

RAPE 2ND CC-20 12-178

STATE OF ALABAMA v JESSICA LEE GUZMAN SEXUAL ABUSE 2ND CC-2012-179 NOT GUILTY

SEXUAL ABUSE 2ND CC-2012-179

STATE OF ALABAMA v BILLY WAYNE DEMERS PUBLIC INTOXICATION CC-2007-336 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v BILLY WAYNE DEMERS

PUBLIC INTOXICATION CC-2007-336

STATE OF ALABAMA v BRITTNEY LEANNE BENNETT CHEMICAL ENDANDERMENT /EXP J CHILD CC-2007 -560 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v BRITTNEY LEANNE BENNETT

CHEMICAL ENDANDERMENT /EXP J CHILD CC-2007 -560

STATE OF ALABAMA v MICHAEL GEORGE WRIGHT CRIMINAL MISCHIEF CC-2007 -999 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v MICHAEL GEORGE WRIGHT

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF CC-2007 -999

STATE OF ALABAMA v GRANVILLE WALKER THEFT OF PROPERTY 2ND CC-2007-1567 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v GRANVILLE WALKER

THEFT OF PROPERTY 2ND CC-2007-1567

STATE OF ALABAMA v WILLIAM GRIFFIN BURGLARY 1ST CC-2008-132 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v WILLIAM GRIFFIN

BURGLARY 1ST CC-2008-132

STATE OF ALABAMA v KASHEEN DANNELL BOLDEN UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION CC-2010-260 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v KASHEEN DANNELL BOLDEN

UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION CC-2010-260

STATE OF ALABAMA v TIFFANY SHANTEL STEWART THEFT OF PROPERTY 2ND CC-2009-954 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v TIFFANY SHANTEL STEWART

THEFT OF PROPERTY 2ND CC-2009-954

STATE OF ALABAMA v ALFONZA DONYELL TONEY ROBBERY 2ND CC-2013-1051 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v ALFONZA DONYELL TONEY

ROBBERY 2ND CC-2013-1051

STATE OF ALABAMA v JEREMY SHANTA JONES ATTEMPTED MURDER CC-20 13-498 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v JEREMY SHANTA JONES

ATTEMPTED MURDER CC-20 13-498

STATE OF ALABAMA v ALDEN JADE WEST FRAUDULENT USE OF DEBIT /CREDIT CARD CC-20 13-1681 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v ALDEN JADE WEST

FRAUDULENT USE OF DEBIT /CREDIT CARD CC-20 13-1681

STATE OF ALABAMA v CORNELIUS WILLIAMS ROBBERY 1ST CC-2012-205 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v CORNELIUS WILLIAMS

ROBBERY 1ST CC-2012-205

STATE OF ALABAMA v CORNELIUS WILLIAMS RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY 2ND CC-20 11-634 NOT GUILTY

RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY 2ND CC-20 11-634

STATE OF ALABAMA v BRITTNEY NICOLE WALLIS DUI CC-2006-1495 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v BRITTNEY NICOLE WALLIS

DUI CC-2006-1495

STATE OF ALABAMA v GIA CHERIE MORPHIS FORGERY 2ND CC-2005-506 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v GIA CHERIE MORPHIS

FORGERY 2ND CC-2005-506

STATE OF ALABAMA v GREGORY D. DUKE UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CC-2000-961 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v GREGORY D. DUKE

UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CC-2000-961

STATE OF ALABAMA v JAMES EARL JOHNSON SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST CC-2000-986 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v JAMES EARL JOHNSON

SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST CC-2000-986

STATE OF ALABAMA v STEVEN MATHIS TRAFFICKING MARIJUANA CC-2003-1232 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v STEVEN MATHIS

TRAFFICKING MARIJUANA CC-2003-1232

STATE OF ALABAMA v DANNY FOUNTAIN DUI CC-2003-1083 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v DANNY FOUNTAIN

DUI CC-2003-1083

STATE OF ALABAMA v MARTEZ ANTONIO SHAQUAN THARP ATTEMPTED MURDER CC-2011-1373 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v MARTEZ ANTONIO SHAQUAN THARP

ATTEMPTED MURDER CC-2011-1373

STATE OF ALABAMA v MARTEZ ANTONIO SHAQUAN THARP 1SHOOT /DISC FIREARM CC-2011-1374 NOT GUILTY

1SHOOT /DISC FIREARM CC-2011-1374

STATE OF ALABAMA v RANDALL LAMAR THOMAS ROBBERY 1ST CC-2009-773 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v RANDALL LAMAR THOMAS

ROBBERY 1ST CC-2009-773

STATE OF ALABAMA v WILLIE CLYDE HAMMOCK DISORDERLY CONDUCT CC-2013-589 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v WILLIE CLYDE HAMMOCK

DISORDERLY CONDUCT CC-2013-589

STATE OF ALABAMA v DAVID CRAIG PAGE, JR. WILFUL ABUSE OF CHILD UNDER AGE OF 18 CC-2014-396 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v DAVID CRAIG PAGE, JR.

WILFUL ABUSE OF CHILD UNDER AGE OF 18 CC-2014-396

STATE OF ALABAMA v MICHAEL GEORGE WRIGHT CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2ND DEGREE CC-2007-999 NOT GUILTY

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2ND DEGREE CC-2007-999

STATE OF ALABAMA v BRITTNEY LEANNE BENNETT CHEMICAL ENDANGERMENT OF A CHILD BY EXPOSURE (CLASS C) CC-2007-560 NOT GUILTY

CHEMICAL ENDANGERMENT OF A CHILD BY EXPOSURE (CLASS C) CC-2007-560

STATE OF ALABAMA v CORNELIUS WILLIAMS RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY 2ND CC-2011-634 NOT GUILTY

RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY 2ND CC-2011-634

STATE OF ALABAMA v JEROME CONRAD BOYKIN POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA 1ST CC-2011-767 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v JEROME CONRAD BOYKIN

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA 1ST CC-2011-767

STATE OF ALABAMA v GREGORY DONALD FORSYTHE BREAKING & ENTERING A VEHICLE CC-2011-1525 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v GREGORY DONALD FORSYTHE

BREAKING & ENTERING A VEHICLE CC-2011-1525

STATE OF ALABAMA v JEREMY SHANTA JONES PISTOL-CERTAIN PERSONS FORBIDDEN TO POSSES CC-2013-498 NOT GUILTY

PISTOL-CERTAIN PERSONS FORBIDDEN TO POSSES CC-2013-498

STATE OF ALABAMA v WADE CEDRICK JONES FELONY POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CC-2011-1046 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v WADE CEDRICK JONES

FELONY POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CC-2011-1046

STATE OF ALABAMA v KEITHAN JACKSON FELONY POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE BY FRAUD CC-2007-553 NOT GUILTY

FELONY POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE BY FRAUD CC-2007-553

STATE OF ALABAMA v ALDEN JADE WEST FRAUDULENT USE OF CREDIT/DEBIT CARD CC-2013-1681 NOT GUILTY

FRAUDULENT USE OF CREDIT/DEBIT CARD CC-2013-1681

STATE OF ALABAMA v KENNETH JAIMON THORNTON SODOMY 1ST DEGREE CC-2016-1125 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v KENNETH JAIMON THORNTON

SODOMY 1ST DEGREE CC-2016-1125

STATE OF ALABAMA v BRITT HERMAN, JR. POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA 1ST CC-2016-1895 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v BRITT HERMAN, JR.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA 1ST CC-2016-1895

STATE OF ALABAMA v COURTNEY MICHELLE TINGLE BURGLARY 3RD DEGREE CC-2016-756 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v COURTNEY MICHELLE TINGLE

BURGLARY 3RD DEGREE CC-2016-756

STATE OF ALABAMA v KENNETH JAIMON THORNTON SODOMY 1ST DEGREE CC-2016-1124 NOT GUILTY

SODOMY 1ST DEGREE CC-2016-1124

STATE OF ALABAMA v WILLIAM CLARENCE FOSTER POSSESSION OF FORGED INSTRUMENT 1ST CC-2007-317 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v WILLIAM CLARENCE FOSTER

POSSESSION OF FORGED INSTRUMENT 1ST CC-2007-317

STATE OF ALABAMA v DESMOND JERMAINE GIBBS BURGLARY 3RD DEGREE CC-2013-175 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v DESMOND JERMAINE GIBBS

BURGLARY 3RD DEGREE CC-2013-175

STATE OF ALABAMA v JEREMY SHANTA JONES ATTEMPTED MURDER CC-2013-497 NOT GUILTY

ATTEMPTED MURDER CC-2013-497

STATE OF ALABAMA v TERRANCE TERMAINE BAKER CAPITAL MURDER CC-2008-416 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v TERRANCE TERMAINE BAKER

CAPITAL MURDER CC-2008-416

STATE OF ALABAMA v JOSEPH LANE LIVINGSTON ARSON 2ND DEGREE CC-2014-391 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v JOSEPH LANE LIVINGSTON

ARSON 2ND DEGREE CC-2014-391

STATE OF ALABAMA v JAMES DOUGLAS ODOM SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST DEGREE CC-2010-269 NOT GUILTY

SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST DEGREE CC-2010-269

STATE OF ALABAMA v JESSICA LEE GUZMAN RAPE 2ND DEGREE CC-2012-178 NOT GUILTY

RAPE 2ND DEGREE CC-2012-178

STATE OF ALABAMA v CALVIN DURAN BELL-THARPE SCHOOL EMPLOYEE SEX ACT CC-2011-1071 NOT GUILTY

STATE OF ALABAMA v CALVIN DURAN BELL-THARPE

SCHOOL EMPLOYEE SEX ACT CC-2011-1071

211 West Main Street, Suite 1 Dothan, AL 36301

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission from www.smithmcghee.com

Site Map

Disclaimer