Westport Alimony Lawyers
Practical Assistance for Clients Throughout Fairfield County
Understanding the role of alimony can help you prepare for the financial implications and decisions ahead when navigating divorce. Alimony is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to another during or after a divorce or legal separation.
Unlike some states, Connecticut does not have alimony guidelines, leaving its determination largely to the court’s discretion. This means you need skilled legal representation in seeking or contesting alimony during your divorce or in a post-divorce situation or dispute.
At Ferro, Battey & Eucalitto, LLC, we practice family law exclusively; our attorneys have extensive knowledge and court experience. We take the time to discuss your individual needs, explain your options, and help you strategize for the future.
Contact Ferro, Battey & Eucalitto, LLC by email or at (475) 264-4362 to consult a Westport alimony attorney. We also serve clients in Darien, Norwalk, Wilton, and New Canaan.
How Is Alimony Determined in Connecticut?
The court may order either party to pay alimony to the other, but the decision to award alimony and the amount and duration are based on several factors.
These generally include:
- The length of the marriage
- The causes for the marital breakdown
- The age, health, station, and occupation of the parties
- The parties’ income sources, vocational skills, employability, and estate
- The needs of both parties
- Property awards issued during the divorce
When minor children are involved, custody considerations can impact the court’s decision. Judges have broad discretion in weighing all factors based on your specific circumstances.
For example, poor health may take precedence in one instance, while in another, the primary focus may be on income disparities. No two cases are alike; courts tailor their decisions accordingly.
If alimony is not awarded during the divorce, it cannot be added or enforced later.
Modification of Alimony
Alimony awards are generally modifiable when either party's financial circumstances substantially change. This could include a significant increase or decrease in income, loss of employment, or other unforeseen financial shifts.
Alimony may also be modified if the recipient begins living with another person and his or her finances change.
Spouses can agree to make alimony non-modifiable or to limit the circumstances under which modifications can be made.
Contact Ferro, Battey & Eucalitto, LLC for Legal Guidance
Whether seeking alimony, contesting a request, or negotiating terms, we offer insightful counsel and the professional skills you need to pursue favorable results.
Call (475) 264-4362 or reach us online to consult a Westport alimony attorney.
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“I had a fairly complex case which involved adultery. Janet & Olivia were able to dissect the issue in a stepwise, logical manner, delivering ample rewards during the actual trial.”- Former Client
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“I know Ferro Family Law provided me the very best outcome I could hope for. Since then, I have retained them to represent me in some post judgment actions.”- Former Client
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“From the first time I met Janet & Olivia, through the end of my case, I knew I was in great hands. I cannot thank Ferro Family Law enough.”- Former Client
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“Aggressive, compassionate, cost-effective. I regularly refer Janet & Olivia to some of my most sensitive divorce cases. They are results-focused and responsive.”- Attorney Referral
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“This compassionate group of knowledgeable attorneys helped me and my children. I have and will continue to refer this firm to anyone in need of counsel for divorce.”- Former Client
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“Not only did Janet & Olivia quickly help me secure all protections for my daughter, they also ingeniously found a way to impel my spouse to get proper treatment.”- Former Client
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“Janet & Olivia genuinely care about all aspects of the client’s case and pay close attention to the client’s concerns, goals, and finances.”- Former Client
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“I have worked on several matters with Janet and Olivia. They are amazing attorneys. Smart, thorough and practical.”- Former Client
Have Questions?
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How can a divorce lawyer help?Having a divorce lawyer will help to make the divorce process less confusing and overwhelming. A divorce lawyer will be able to advise you on the law and realistic outcomes for settling your case or at trial. In addition, a divorce lawyer will manage the case, including dealing with the other side, and advocating for your positions.
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How are child support obligations determined?In Connecticut, when determining child support, the court is required to consider the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines. The Guidelines set forth a presumptive child support award for each case based upon the parties’ combined net weekly incomes and the number of children the parties have. In addition, the court may consider a number of other factors, including, but not limited to, the estate and needs of the child, vocational skills and employability of each parent, and each parent’s earning capacity. The court may also deviate from the presumptive child support for different reasons, which can include shared physical custody, coordination of total family support, or extraordinary disparity in parental income. To learn more about the calculation of child support in Connecticut, including high-income cases, click here.
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What is joint custody?
There are two types of joint custody: joint legal custody and joint physical custody. Legal custody concerns the parents’ ability to make major decisions for their children. Major decisions include health, education, and religious decisions. If parents have joint legal custody, the parents are required to agree on all major decisions for their children.
Physical custody addresses when the children are with each parent. If the parents have joint physical custody, each parent spends time with the children. In some cases, parents may have shared physical custody, which means the children spend approximately half the time with each parent.
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Does Connecticut have no-fault divorce?Connecticut has no-fault divorce, meaning that neither party needs to establish that the other is at fault to get divorced. Instead, to get divorced, one party must show that the marriage has irretrievably broken down with no hope of reconciliation. However, no-fault divorce does not mean that the fault of one or both parties is irrelevant. The court may still consider fault when making awards of alimony or dividing property.
