Understanding Spousal Support in Oregon

A divorce can cause many types of stress in a Portland resident’s life. They may have concerns about where they will live, and they may worry about what will happen to their kids when their marital relationship ends. For many divorcing parties, having enough money to pay the bills is a significant concern, particularly if they were not breadwinners in their marriages.

When individuals leave marriages without the financial power to survive, they may be awarded spousal support. Spousal support is financial support paid from a person to their ex-spouse and depending on the circumstances it can last temporarily or for years. This informative post discusses spousal support in Oregon, but its contents should not be interpreted as legal advice.

Spousal support is often paid out over time in monthly installments, but for some divorcing parties, lump sum payments are ordered. A lump sum payment is one that is made a single time and constitutes the entirety of the spousal support award. Periodic payments made each month can serve different purposes.

In Oregon, monthly spousal support payments can be ordered to serve different goals.

• For individuals who need help preparing to re-enter the workforce, transitional spousal support may be ordered to help them getting training or education to be eligible for work opportunities.

• For parties that financially and/or emotionally supported their exes as they sought education or career advancement, compensatory spousal support may be an option.

• For people who end long-term marriages, spousal maintenance may be accessible as a form of long-term financial support.

A party is not limited to only one kind of spousal support when they divorce, but their family law attorney can advise them of their rights and options. Spousal support is an important divorce-related matter that individuals should consider when they are preparing to end their marriages.