Child Support and Spousal Maintenance

 Navigating the financial aspects of a divorce can be challenging. Two critical components often addressed in divorce proceedings are child support and spousal maintenance (alimony).

Child support is designed to ensure the financial well-being of a child. It is calculated based on the Arizona Child Support Guidelines to provide for the child’s basic needs, including housing, food, education, and medical expenses. Both parents have a duty to support their minor children, regardless of marital status.  Typically, child support lasts until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later, but not beyond age 19. 

When deciding upon a child support award, a judge will consider: 

• The income of both parents.
• The financial resources and needs of the child.
• The child’s standard of living if the parents were married.
• Healthcare and childcare costs.
• Parenting time (custody arrangements).

You can estimate what a child support obligation might look like here, but understand it is a rough estimate with a number of factors involved.

Spousal maintenance, commonly know as alimony, is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. It aims to provide economic assistance to a spouse who may be unable to meet their needs independently. To qualify, a spouse must show one of the following:

• Lack of sufficient property to meet their needs.
• Inability to be self-sufficient through employment or caregiving responsibilities.
• Contribution to the educational opportunities of the other spouse.
• Marriage duration and the age of the recipient spouse impacting their employability.

There are a number of factors a judge will consider, including the duration of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, the age, employment history, earning ability, and physical/mental condition of the spouse seeking maintenance, contributions to the other spouse’s career or earning capacity, and the ability of the paying spouse to meet both their own needs and the needs of the receiving spouse. Spousal maintenance may be temporary or long-term, depending on the circumstances. The court aims to strike a balance that allows the receiving spouse time to become self-sufficient.

You can estimate what a spousal maintenance obligation might look like here, but again understand it is a rough estimate with a number of factors involved.

Navigating the complexities of child support and spousal maintenance requires a thorough understanding of Arizona law. Consulting with South & Wright, PLLC can help you protect your rights.