How Long Do I Have to Make Alimony Payments in Illinois? 

 Posted on June 29, 2022 in Family Law Blog

Although alimony is less common in Illinois divorces than it used to be, it is still frequently ordered or negotiated between a divorcing couple. Technically known as “spousal maintenance,” alimony is intended to allow a spouse to recover from the financial consequences of separation from their partner, especially if the marriage lasted a long time and the spouse receiving alimony sacrificed all or part of their career potential to raise a family. If you are seeking an Illinois divorce and are wondering how long alimony lasts, read on and then contact a DuPage County family law attorney who can help. 

Types of Alimony in Illinois Divorces

There are four basic types of spousal maintenance allowed in an Illinois divorce, and the type of alimony will have a significant influence on how long alimony payments last. The four different types of alimony are: 

• Temporary alimony - Interim or temporary alimony is ordered during divorce proceedings and may be used to pay for a spouse’s attorney fees and/or the cost of a spouse’s living needs until the divorce is finalized. Temporary alimony is intended to allow spouses to leave marriages they would otherwise be trapped in for lack of funds. 

• Fixed-term alimony - Fixed-term alimony is set for a specific length of time and is more common in shorter marriages or marriages with older children. When the designated time for alimony payments is over, payments terminate without the option of being renewed. 

• Reviewable alimony - Reviewable alimony gives the receiving spouse the option to show a judge that he or she needs further time to become financially independent. Reviewable alimony is more common when there are still very young children who need a parent’s constant care, preventing the parent from returning to the workforce. 

• Permanent alimony - Also known as indefinite alimony, permanent alimony is only available to spouses who have been married for at least 20 years. Permanent alimony is not truly permanent, as certain actions - such as remarriage or cohabitation with a new partner - can end payments. 

The exact length of your spousal maintenance payments will depend on the circumstances of your divorce. Spouses are encouraged to negotiate a mutually acceptable alimony agreement rather than allowing a judge to decide for them in court. 

Get Help from an Experienced Lombard, IL Alimony Lawyer

At A. Traub & Associates, we can help you ensure your alimony obligations are met while simultaneously ensuring that you do not pay more than you need to. No matter your circumstances, we work to build a strong case so you can have the best chance of a favorable outcome. Call us today at 630-426-0196 to schedule a consultation with one of our DuPage County spousal maintenance lawyers today. 

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+V&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=6200000&SeqEnd=8675000