Alimony is potentially the most confusing and contentious part of any divorce settlement. Determining an alimony order involves many factors, and it takes a skilled alimony lawyer to make sure you're getting a fair settlement. Without an experienced attorney on your side, you could end up with unfair alimony payments.
As an experienced Oklahoma attorney focused on family law, Bryan Stratton has the skills to handle your case.
Answers to Common Alimony Questions
What is alimony?
Alimony, also called spousal support, is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to the other intended to correct income disparities so both people can live comfortably. It's separate from child support and from “alimony in lieu of property division.”
What kinds of alimony are there?
Oklahoma recognizes temporary alimony (also called temporary spousal maintenance), which usually lasts only until the divorce is finalized, and true alimony, a more permanent arrangement that begins after the divorce, paid monthly, in a lump sum, or from property value.
How are alimony payments determined?
Oklahoma has no formal calculator for alimony. A judge has broad discretion, weighing the difference in income, assets, and property, each spouse's ability to pay, the length of the marriage, job skills, age, and ability to become self-supporting.
Does fault matter when determining alimony?
Oklahoma is a fault divorce state, but alimony is almost always calculated separately from fault. You may still owe alimony even if your spouse's conduct was the reason for the divorce, if you have significantly more income or assets.
How long do I pay alimony?
There's no set rule — some orders require a single lump sum, others continue for years. Temporary spousal maintenance usually ends when the divorce is finalized, though a judge may carry similar terms into a full alimony order.
Can an alimony order be changed?
Yes, if the financial situation of one or both spouses significantly changes, such as a pay raise, a reduction in income, bankruptcy, cohabitation, or remarriage, a spouse can ask the court to modify the order.
What is alimony in lieu of property division?
Despite the name, this isn't alimony — it's a form of property division based on value. If the division of property leaves an imbalance between spouses, the court may order payments (monthly or lump sum) from the spouse who received more to correct the difference.