How Common Is Permanent Alimony in Atlanta?

If you are approaching a divorce in Atlanta, you might have heard that permanent alimony is a possibility. If you stand to pay alimony, this might seem like a daunting prospect. If you stand to receive alimony, ongoing payments for the foreseeable future could be highly encouraging. But how likely is permanent alimony in Georgia? Who might receive permanent alimony? These are questions you might want to raise with an alimony lawyer in Atlanta.

Permanent Alimony Is Quite Rare 

You should know that permanent alimony is quite rare in Georgia. Although it might have been common a few decades ago, family courts today understand that it often represents an unreasonable burden on the payor. In the modern era, most spouses are perfectly capable of re-entering the job market after a divorce, regardless of their gender.

Permanent alimony only became common in decades past because women rarely participated in the workforce. In some cases, they were actively prohibited from doing so. Some states have abolished the concept of permanent alimony altogether, and Georgia could eventually follow.

Permanent Alimony Could Be Possible in Certain Situations

With all that said, permanent alimony could be possible in certain situations. First, a spouse who emerges from a divorce having already reached retirement age could potentially receive permanent alimony in Georgia. The logic here is that the spouse is incapable of re-entering the workforce due to their advanced age, and so alimony may be the only way to avoid destitution. This situation is common after so-called “gray divorces.”

A spouse might also receive permanent alimony if they have some kind of disability. Again, the logic revolves around the recipient’s ability to work and earn a living. Remember, the point of alimony is to prevent destitution. One might also argue that the government enforces these laws to reduce burdens on the taxpayer. If a spouse can receive alimony instead of going on welfare, this obviously makes sense from an economic point of view.

Periodic Alimony Can Theoretically Last for Longer than Permanent Alimony

Due to the health conditions of both seniors and disabled individuals, it is certainly possible for periodic alimony to last longer than permanent alimony. For example, an 88-year-old senior might receive permanent alimony after emerging from a decades-long marriage. However, they may only live for another three years before passing away.

In contrast, a spouse in her 40s might receive 10 years of periodic alimony after emerging from a 20-year marriage. This is just one example of how counterintuitive alimony can be. Situations like these also highlight the relative meaninglessness of labels like permanent or periodic alimony.

Contact an Alimony Lawyer in Atlanta

If you’d like to determine whether permanent alimony might be a factor in your divorce, it makes sense to contact an experienced family law attorney in Atlanta. These legal professionals can assess your unique situation and help you understand what to expect. Although permanent alimony is unlikely, it may be possible in certain situations. Discuss your circumstances in more detail with Buckhead Family Law today.

Source: 

georgia.gov/file-divorce