After years of spending your life with the same person day in and day out, deciding to sever the relationship can prompt a wave of mixed emotion. Divorce is never easy, and it can be especially challenging for you if you decide to file a petition when you are age 55 or older. The divorce rate has been steadily increasing among this age group.
That’s why it pays to be aware of such trends and also to be able to recognize signs of marital crisis. If you decide to divorce and plan to request alimony, there are several things you should know. Discussing your plans with someone who has already navigated gray divorce or is, at least, well-versed in Minnesota laws can be helpful.
Are you eligible for alimony?
It’s no secret that people who divorce later in life often run into financial problems after settlement. Especially if you have been out of the workforce for many years, you might not be fully prepared to meet the expenses you will incur as a single person. The following are issues the judge overseeing your case may consider before deciding whether to order your ex to pay alimony:
- The court will want to know the employment status of both spouses.
- You may also have to provide detailed income information to the court.
- In addition to the income you currently earn, the judge may want to know more about your future earning potential.
- Your spouse will have to answer all these same questions.
When the court orders a spouse to pay alimony, it is typically on a temporary basis. Perhaps, you are walking away from your marriage not fully prepared to financially support yourself, but with temporary assistance, you will likely be able to get on your feet and move on in life to become financially stable.
Adhering to the terms of a court order
Once the court issues an order, both you and your ex are legally obligated to adhere to its terms. If you are supposed to receive alimony and your ex is not making payments, it is imperative that you know where to seek support to help find a swift and fair solution to the problem.
