Will I Have to Pay Alimony After My Illinois Divorce?

DuPage County Divorce Attorneys Assisting You with Spousal Maintenance

There are many factors that come into play when the court is deciding who will be the one paying and who will be the one receiving alimony (also known as spousal maintenance or spousal support). Often, those going through a divorce think that if someone is the cause or at fault for the divorce, that they will be responsible for paying. In Illinois law, however, the courts do not examine who is at fault or any marital wrongdoings.


The attorneys at Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC are available to help explain all of the parts that come into play when the court is deciding who will be paying spousal support in your divorce. Here is a list of factors the courts review:

  • Both spouses' incomes;
  • Present and future earnings for each spouse;
  • The standard of living during the marriage;
  • The length of the marriage;
  • Any damage to earnings such as domestic responsibilities like childcare or giving up work, school, training, career opportunities because of the marriage;
  • If the spouse requesting alimony contributed to school, work, training for the spouse; and
  • Any previous valid agreements between the parties.

If the spouse with the lesser income is fully able to work, he or she will be allowed money for a period of time to be able to complete any education or training in order to raise their economic standing to what they were used to having during the marriage. In some scenarios, there may even be temporary maintenance during the proceedings to provide financial support until the court comes to a final conclusion on how much support should be allocated.

Contact Our Skilled DuPage County Divorce Lawyers

At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we want to make your divorce transition as smooth as possible. We have been assisting clients through their divorces all throughout DuPage County for decades. We help clients in Wheaton, Naperville, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, and much more. Contact us by calling 630-665-7300 to set up an appointment with one of our skilled attorneys.

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