How will a new relationship affect the recipient of maintenance after a Louisville Divorce? Are you receiving maintenance and wondering how a new serious relationship may affect your finances? Are you presently paying maintenance to a former spouse who has moved in with a new partner? What becomes of maintenance obligations in these cases?
It is quite common for those who have experienced a divorce to consider living with a new partner before considering a new marriage. However, it is important to consider the financial implications of a “material change in circumstance” which might affect qualification for continuing maintenance.
While this may be a high legal standard to reach our Family Court will usually consider cases to modify existing maintenance orders based on a substantial change in the financial circumstances of the recipient or the payor.
In order to determine how a new relationship will affect the recipient of maintenance after a Louisville divorce one must consider the commingling of finances in the new household, reduction of overhead such as a mortgage or rent, or an improvement in the quality of the lifestyle which results.
What happens if the person paying maintenance loses their job? COVID-19 has had a substantial impact upon business here in Louisville and throughout Kentucky. The loss of a job can make it difficult to continue maintenance payments. Likewise, the loss of a job on the part of the recipient may increase their need for support.
Maintenance is an important tool the Court uses to level the financial playing field between the parties. How will a new relationship affect the recipient of maintenance after a Louisville divorce? If the parties are simply “dating” and have not moved in together it will generally not impact existing support orders.
If the recipient of maintenance has moved in with a new partner and the need for maintenance has been reduced a viable case may be presented.
These are complex legal and financial cases. This is why it is important to work with the experienced divorce and family law attorneys at Dodd & Dodd. We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our former clients and contact us or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced divorce and family law attorneys.
