ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Alimony & Spousal Support | Haskell & Dyer
With No Formula for Alimony, the Argument Decides the Outcome.
Alimony depends on many factors, and the right amount turns on the real picture of your marriage and your finances. We make that case, whether you are seeking support or being asked to pay it.
Clear-eyed family law representation across Southern Maryland. We build the case for a fair award, whether you seek support or pay it.
No Simple Formula
Alimony is not run off a fixed calculator.
Unlike child support, spousal support has no single formula. A judge weighs many factors: the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and needs, and the ability to become self-supporting. That makes the argument you present matter a great deal.
Types of Support
The Forms Alimony Can Take
Maryland recognizes more than one kind of spousal support. The right type depends on your situation.
Short Term
Temporary and Rehabilitative
Temporary support can apply while the divorce is pending. Rehabilitative support is for a set period, meant to help a spouse get back on their feet, finish training, or re-enter the workforce. Most awards fall into these shorter-term categories.
Long Term
Indefinite Alimony
In some cases, often long marriages or where one spouse cannot reasonably become self-supporting, a court may award indefinite alimony. It is less common and depends heavily on the facts. We make the case for or against it based on your real situation.
What Drives the Outcome
The Factors That Matter
Because there is no formula, these are the things a court weighs and we build the argument around.
Length of the marriage
Each spouse's income
Earning capacity
Standard of living
Ability to be self-supporting
Contributions to the marriage
Why It Matters
What Is on the Line
Alimony can shape both households for years. The award, or the absence of one, has lasting weight.
Stability
Your financial footing after divorce
Fairness
An award that fits the real picture
Duration
How long support lasts
Your Budget
What you receive or pay each month
The Factors
The Factors a Judge Weighs
Because there is no formula, a Maryland judge looks at a list of factors to decide whether alimony is appropriate, how much, and for how long. The picture of the whole marriage matters.
Those factors generally include:
- The length of the marriage and the standard of living during it
- Each spouse's income, assets, and earning capacity
- The time and training one spouse needs to become self-supporting
- Contributions to the marriage, including raising children and running the home
- The age and the physical and mental condition of each spouse
- The ability of the paying spouse to meet their own needs while paying support
Rehabilitative support for a set period is the most common result. Indefinite alimony is reserved for limited situations, such as a long marriage or where one spouse cannot reasonably become self-supporting. We build the argument around the factors that matter most in your case.
Attorney Insight
Alimony is the most fought-over number in a divorce, because there's no calculator for it. It comes down to the story you tell about the marriage and the finances. That story has to be accurate, and it has to be told well.
Matthew J. Dyer, Esq.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer
How We Handle Alimony
Because alimony turns on the facts and the argument, we build a clear, well supported case for the result you need.
We Build the Full Picture
Income, the length of the marriage, and each spouse's real situation. We assemble the facts that move the decision.
We Argue the Factors
There is no formula, so the argument matters. We make the case the court actually weighs, for or against an award.
We Pursue the Right Type
Temporary, rehabilitative, or indefinite. We push for the form and duration of support that fits your situation.
We Protect Either Side
Seeking support or being asked to pay, we advocate for a fair, sustainable outcome rather than an extreme one.
Common Questions
Alimony, Answered
How is alimony decided in Maryland?
There is no fixed formula for alimony the way there is for child support. A judge weighs many factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, and whether a spouse can become self-supporting. Because it is judgment-based, the argument you present carries real weight.
What are the different types of alimony?
Maryland recognizes temporary support during the case, rehabilitative support for a set period to help a spouse become self-supporting, and in some cases indefinite alimony. Rehabilitative is the most common. Which type fits depends on the length of the marriage and each spouse's situation. We help you pursue the right one for your case.
How long does alimony last?
It varies. Rehabilitative alimony runs for a defined period tied to a spouse getting back on their feet. Indefinite alimony has no set end and is awarded in limited situations, often long marriages or where self-support is not realistic. The duration depends on the facts, and we argue for a length that fits your circumstances.
Can alimony be changed after the divorce?
Often, yes. Depending on how it was set, alimony can be modified when circumstances change significantly, such as a major change in income or a change in the receiving spouse's situation. Some agreements limit this, so the details matter. We review how your support was structured and advise you on whether a change is possible.
Does it matter who caused the divorce?
It can be one of the factors a court considers, among many others, but alimony is not purely about fault. The financial picture, the length of the marriage, and each spouse's ability to support themselves usually carry more weight. We focus the case on the factors most likely to drive the outcome you need.
Alimony Turns on the Argument. Let's Make Yours.
With no formula to fall back on, the case you present is what matters. Reach out and we will build a clear argument for a fair award, whether you are seeking support or being asked to pay.
Prefer to talk now? Reach us at 301-627-5844