Alimony and Spousal Support

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Alimony And Spousal Support Attorney In Rochester, New York

Reaching Your Optimal Outcome

Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is financial assistance that one spouse may be required to pay to the other during or after a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help ensure that both spouses can maintain a similar standard of living after divorce and to provide financial support to a spouse who may have been financially dependent on the other during the marriage.

Contact Brian C. Buettner, Attorney At Law to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today. 585-454-1760

Types of Alimony in New York

In New York, there are different types of spousal support that can be awarded depending on the circumstances of the marriage and the divorce:

  • Temporary (Pendente Lite) Alimony: Temporary alimony is awarded while the divorce proceedings are ongoing. This type of support ensures that the lower-earning spouse can maintain financial stability during the divorce process. Once the divorce is finalized, temporary alimony ends, and permanent alimony may be awarded.
  • Permanent Alimony: Permanent alimony is awarded after the divorce is finalized and can last for a set period or indefinitely, depending on the circumstances. Permanent alimony is intended to provide ongoing support to a spouse who cannot achieve financial independence due to age, health, or other factors.
  • Rehabilitative Alimony: Rehabilitative alimony is intended to help the lower-earning spouse become self-sufficient. This type of support is typically awarded for a limited time, allowing the recipient to gain the necessary education, training, or skills to re-enter the workforce and become financially independent.
  • Durational Alimony: Durational alimony is awarded for a specific period of time following the divorce. The duration of the support is often based on the length of the marriage, with longer marriages resulting in longer support periods.

Modifying or Terminating Alimony

Circumstances can change after a divorce, and in some cases, it may be necessary to modify or terminate an alimony order. Common reasons for modifying or terminating alimony include:

  • Change in Income or Financial Circumstances: If either spouse experiences a significant change in financial circumstances, such as losing a job or receiving a large promotion, the court may modify the alimony arrangement.
  • Remarriage or Cohabitation: If the recipient spouse remarries or begins cohabiting with another person, the paying spouse can request that the alimony be reduced or terminated.
  • Retirement: If the paying spouse retires and no longer has the same income, they may seek to reduce or terminate alimony payments.


At Brian C. Buettner, Attorney at Law, we can help you file a petition to modify or terminate alimony if your circumstances have changed. We work diligently to ensure that the alimony arrangement reflects the current financial situation of both parties.

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Have Questions?

Call Brian C. Buettner, Attorney At Law at 585-454-1760 today to speak to an attorney.

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