Alimony, or spousal support, is money awarded to one spouse and paid by the other. The purpose is to help the receiving spouse maintain the standard of living they are use to or to get to a point that they are economically independent. Typically, it is rare for alimony to be awarded in marriages that last less than 12 years. Likewise, it is rare to alimony in a case where the two spouses have relatively equal incomes. In other words, alimony is used in situation where one spouse has been economically dependent on the other for the duration of the marriage.

So when does alimony stop? Usually, the parties will set a date for the termination of the alimony payments as part of the divorce decree. But alimony can be terminated under other circumstances. Needless to say, alimony stops when the paying spouse dies. Likewise, if the receiving spouse remarries, alimony will cease. In some circumstances, when the receiving spouse cohabitates with someone of the opposite sex, alimony may be terminated. However, cohabitation means more than having a sexual relationship with another, or even occasionally spending the night. In order to satisfy the cohabitation requirement, there must be a pattern of occupying the same residence as shown by such things as having mail delivered to the address, voting registration, storage of clothes and eating meals together.

Want to know if your spouse is cohabitating? Talk to your Michigan Alimony Attorney today.

Are you a stay at home mom? If so, you know more than anybody else that this can be a full-time job, plus much more. With that being said, being a stay at home mom does not mean that you are immune to divorce. You are in a tough spot if you are a stay at home mom with a husband who is interested in moving forward with a divorce. If you find yourself in this position it is very important that you take several important details into mind.

First off, why does your husband want a divorce? If you want to stay in the relationship you should consider counseling before anything else. Not only is this best for you, but it is also better for your children. A divorce can be difficult enough, but when you add children to the mix things can get even more complex.

Moving on, if you do end up getting a divorce how are you going to support yourself? Since you are a stay at home mom it means that you are more or less dependant on somebody else for money. Will you be able to get a job? If so, how long will it take you?

What will happen to your children? Will you get custody or is your husband going to fight this? You need to make sure that this detail is discussed in length. If possible it would be best to settle this out of court.

It is never easy to get a divorce, and this definitely holds true if you are a stay at home mom. Facing this situation can be difficult, but you will find your way through the divorce process and end up for the better in the end.

*Photo courtesy of Nammer of Flickr

There are many reasons to get a divorce. But before you move forward you need to think about all of the ramifications and how your future will change. This is especially true from a financial point of view. For instance, is your spouse the one who makes all the money? Does he or she pay for your housing and most of the bills? If so, and you are going to get a divorce, you will have to make some major life changes...