Is your marriage separation causing you financial distress?
Marriage separations are never easy.
They are said to be one of the most stressful times a person may encounter in their lives.
The worst part about any marriage separation is the financial stress that may come about it.
Determining how to split your assets, how to manage any debts, what to do with your personal items, and where to live are all things that can add to your stresses.
It’s okay however, to feel distressed, as the financial pressures becoming overwhelming.
Spousal Maintenance
If you feel you’re struggling financially, finding it difficult to adequately provide for yourself, then you could make a claim for spousal maintenance.
What’s spousal maintenance you may ask? How will it help you?
Well, when you make a claim for spousal maintenance and you are successful in doing so, you will receive financial support paid to you, usually from your estranged partner, as an order of the Court. The Court will assist you adequately provide for yourself financially after your marriage separation.
Of course, the likelihood of success in a claim would all depend on your unique situation, so it would be in your best interest to consult with your lawyers first to see what options are available to you.
When you make a claim, the Court will have to consider the following factors:
- Your age and health.
- Your income, property and financial resources.
- Your ability to work.
- A suitable standard of living for you.
- If the marriage has affected your ability to earn an income.
If you are successful in a claim for spousal maintenance, the Court may make the following orders:
- For your estranged partner to make regular payments to you.
- For certain items, including the home of the marriage, to be sold and have the proceeds of sale be provided to you.
So don’t feel that you have to go through the financial pressures of a marriage separation alone.
The Court does recognise that the law exists to help you, and a claim for spousal maintenance may be able to help you receive financial support so that you can adequately provide for yourself during this difficult time, and help get yourself back on track after your marriage separation.
