Minneapolis Alimony Lawyer for Men

Helping Clients Navigate the Spousal Support Issue

Divorce can be expensive, but it gets costlier when you’re ordered to pay alimony to your former spouse. So, if you’re worried about this expense, it’s understandable. Hiring a skilled Minneapolis alimony lawyer for men will ensure you know what to expect if you’re ordered to send payments to your ex-wife.

You deserve peace of mind when you think about your legal case, and that’s what The Legal Dad is proud to offer. Our experienced attorney is happy to answer your legal questions, assist with calculating alimony, and work hard to minimize what you might owe.

Contact our Minneapolis law firm to discuss your alimony case today.

Who Gets Alimony After Divorce?

Alimony, which is also called spousal maintenance, is money that the court orders a husband or wife to send their former spouse every month. The point is to make sure that one spouse is not struggling to pay their bills after divorce while the other spouse is financially fine.

Of course, this isn’t a common issue when both people earn about the same amount of money. So, if your wife’s income is similar to yours, you might not have to worry about alimony.

However, if your wife stayed home with the children while you worked and brought in all or most of the income, she might request spousal maintenance so she can pay the bills after the divorce.

Note that men and women share the equal right to request alimony, so if you make significantly less money than your wife, she might be ordered to pay you alimony. Before ordering spousal maintenance, the judge will confirm two details. One is that the person requesting payments does not make enough income to support themselves. The other is that they don’t own enough property to meet the standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage.

In short, if the judge sees that one spouse will be much worse off financially than the other after divorce, they will likely order alimony. Your lawyer can review your finances and let you know if you’ll likely be ordered to pay alimony, or if you should request it from your ex-wife during your Minnesota divorce case.

How Is Alimony Calculated?

Once you realize you might have to pay alimony, you’ll likely wonder how much you’ll pay every month. The answer is that it’s complicated since judges look at several factors rather than plugging numbers into a calculator.

Factors That Affect Alimony Calculations

Some details a Minnesota judge will consider during the alimony calculation process include:

• How long the marriage lasted
• How old each spouse is
• The level of education and job training each spouse attained
• Each person’s income and earning capacity
• The standard of living the couple had while married
• The value of the assets each spouse got when dividing marital property
• The health of the spouse seeking alimony
• Each person’s living expenses
• The financial needs of the person requesting alimony
• The other spouse’s ability to pay
• Any contributions one spouse made to the other’s financial success while married

In general, if the marriage was short and your ex-wife has the job skills to eventually support herself financially, your alimony payments may be on the lower end of the average. However, if your marriage lasted decades and your wife stayed home with the children, her earning capacity may be low after spending years out of the job market. If the judge determines that she’s unlikely to find a job that will provide the same standard of living she had while married, your alimony payments might be costly.

Your lawyer can give you an idea of what kind of spousal support payments you’ll be ordered to make. They can also argue in your favor to try to reduce the payments or help you pursue alimony from your ex-wife if her income is higher than yours. Contact The Legal Dad to learn more.

What Are the Main Types of Alimony in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, alimony—commonly referred to as spousal maintenance—is a financial support system designed to help ensure fairness during and after divorce proceedings. Judges often discuss several types of alimony, each serving a unique purpose based on the needs of the divorcing parties. Let’s break down the primary forms of spousal maintenance in Minnesota and how they might apply to your situation.

Temporary Alimony

Temporary alimony is one of the most common forms of spousal maintenance. It provides financial support to the lower-earning spouse during the divorce process, ensuring they can cover their daily living expenses. This type of alimony is especially helpful in cases where one spouse might struggle financially while the divorce is finalized.

For instance, a judge might order you to pay temporary alimony until you and your spouse sell shared assets, such as a home or other valuable properties, and divide the proceeds. Temporary alimony can also support your ex-spouse while they pursue job training or higher education to become financially independent. This variation is known as rehabilitative alimony and ends once your former spouse gains the ability to support themselves.

Permanent Alimony

Unlike temporary alimony, permanent alimony does not come with a predetermined end date. This type of spousal maintenance is reserved for specific circumstances, such as marriages lasting over 20 years, where one spouse is unlikely to achieve financial self-sufficiency.

Permanent alimony typically continues until the receiving spouse remarries or passes away. For example, if your former spouse has significant health challenges or was out of the workforce for decades raising children, the court may find permanent alimony appropriate.

How to Determine the Right Type of Alimony

The type of alimony you may pay—or receive—depends on several factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and the overall financial picture. Minnesota courts aim to balance fairness, ensuring neither party faces unnecessary hardship after a divorce.

Your spousal support lawyer can help you navigate these discussions, advocating for a fair resolution. Whether you’re negotiating temporary or permanent alimony, it’s important to understand how each type impacts your financial future.

Alimony decisions can feel overwhelming, but knowing the different types and how they work can help you approach the process with greater confidence.

What Will a Minneapolis Alimony Lawyer for Men Do for You?

Divorce can be emotionally difficult, especially when your former spouse tries to use your children and hard-earned money to hurt you during and after your case. You deserve to know someone understands your situation and is on your side, and that’s what you’ll get when you hire The Legal Dad for your case.

At The Legal Dad, I understand how challenging and uncertain spousal support discussions can be, especially for fathers striving to protect their financial stability while supporting their families. I work with you to clarify what spousal maintenance means in your unique situation, helping you navigate the legal process with confidence. From understanding the different types of alimony to advocating for fair agreements that consider your financial circumstances, my goal is to provide clear guidance and practical solutions. Together, we’ll develop a plan that aligns with your needs and helps you move forward after divorce.

Book a Free Consultation

Our attorney has been through divorce and all the legal issues that come with it, including spousal maintenance and child custody. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to sit back and watch your ex-wife make unreasonable demands during the divorce process.

Contact our Minneapolis law office at 612-712-3405 to schedule a free consultation you need from a skilled spousal support attorney.