If you’re thinking of divorce, you may also be wondering about alimony in Nebraska (also known as spousal support).
Regardless of whether you think you may end up as the person paying or the person receiving alimony, you should know something about Nebraska alimony before you make decisions about your case.
The spousal support conversation is an important talk to have with an attorney who is experienced in Nebraska family law. This article will give you some basics that will help you have a more productive conversation with that attorney.
In our many years practicing Nebraska family law at Hightower Reff Law in Omaha, we have learned that the more information clients have, the more clear and confident they are about their case, and the decisions they make.
When it comes to Nebraska alimony, there are some things you may be surprised to learn.
Alimony in Nebraska of yesteryear
If you’re a little older, and someone you knew many years ago divorced, you may have heard it mentioned that the husband was ordered to continue supporting the wife “in the manner to which she’s become accustomed.” That may be the way many courts approached alimony in days of yesteryear, but it’s not the way spousal support goes in Nebraska today.
The times they have a changed
In the majority of cases, Nebraska courts don’t award alimony. If they do, it’s for a short time – long enough for the spouse receiving support to get training or education or find a job. It’s sometimes called “rehabilitative spousal support.”
Nebraska courts usually consider several factors when deciding spousal support – as explained in the infographic. The court also considers the relative economic circumstances of both parties in its alimony decisions.
In cases where there is child support, that will be determined first, and then the amount of spousal support will be decided based on each party’s income and expenses after child support is paid.
This article should not be construed as legal advice. Situations are different and it’s impossible to provide legal advice for every situation without knowing the individual facts.
Our additional resources on marital property division are available here.
If you need help with a Nebraska divorce, contact Hightower Reff Law today and come visit one of the attorneys at the Omaha office.
