ALIMONY & SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE
We believe that divorce is not the end, rather a transition to a new beginning. We would be honored to help you and your family with the compassion and dignity you deserve.
Don't Litigate. Mediate TM
Stephen E. Felman - President
Alimony & Spousal Maintenance
Spousal Maintenance is one party’s responsibility to provide financial support to their spouse before, during, and after a divorce. Spousal support, spousal maintenance, and alimony are interchangeable terms. The intent of alimony is to provide an economical balance between the involved parties to avoid unfair financial ramifications for the divorce.
The amount of alimony to be paid is at the discretion of the state court. Factors that are considered by the courts when deciding the amount of alimony that is to be paid include the length of the marriage, the mental and physical health of each party, the age of each party, the standard of living set forth, and the contributions to the marriage by both individuals, both financially and non-financially.
Divorce Mediation Services of Buffalo will not provide legal advice but will guide the parties to a mutual and voluntary agreement on this matter.
Child Parenting Plans
We'll help you and your spouse decide on one of several custody agreements. You can opt for sole legal custody, where one parent has all of the legal rights to the child, and can make decisions without informing the other.
You can also look at both physical custody, which determines where a child lives, or developing a shared parenting plan, which decides who gets the kids during what time periods.
Child Support
In WNY, both parents are financially obligated to support their children. Child support is typically set on a case by case basis, and is financial only.
The other types of support a parent may provide - emotional, intellectual, and physical care - are not touched on. Family mediation can help address this concerns.
Alimony and Spousal Maintenance
Judged on a case to case basis, it may be the legal responsibility of one spouse to provide financial support to the other. This is done to ensure an economic balance between the two parties, and avoid unfair financial ramifications during the divorce process. Note that alimony is usually at the discretion of the state court.
Separation
In a separation, the partners remain legally married. However, the legal agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of each party. This may include (but is not limited to) child custody and support, property division, and spousal maintenance.
Uncontested Divorce
In an uncontested divorce, our divorce mediation services are responsible to help both parties reach an agreement before going to trial. An uncontested divorce can move quickly - and it costs much less than a divorce that goes to trial.
Distribution of Assets and Liabilities
During mediation, we will help you distribute both property and debt. Note that distribution in divorces that go to trial is rarely a 50/50 split, and it's difficult to predict what a state court may do.
Contact Us Today about our Family Mediation Services
Please contact
Divorce Mediation Services of Buffalo
and we will help answer all your questions.