Will there be a self-sustaining order associated with maintenance in a Louisville divorce? Is maintenance limited in a divorce and why is the ability to become self-sustaining an important issue in many Louisville divorce cases? Under Kentucky law the Court may want a recipient of maintenance to become self-sustaining over a period of time and to make reasonable efforts to gain appropriate employment. The Judges instructions or a self-sustaining order regarding the time limit for a recipient of maintenance is included in the formal written judgment toward the conclusion of a divorce case. The addition of these stipulations may be due to an agreed upon settlement or ordered by the Court in a contested matter.
What circumstances might warrant such an order and should you be concerned about a self-sustaining order associated with maintenance in your divorce case? Each divorce in Louisville is truly unique. The circumstances surrounding each of the former spouses, the length of the marriage, their employment, income, lifestyle and education are just a few of the factors which will affect a temporary or permanent maintenance order. For example, in cases where the marriage lasted for many years and the parties are older a Judge may not consider issuing any requirement to become self-sufficient at all. Usually, the Court is seeking to establish the expectation that maintenance may not last forever, and the recipient of maintenance needs to make efforts to become self-sustaining.
Many of the aspects of Kentucky law surrounding a self-sustaining order associated with maintenance are quite ambiguous. This is designed to give the Judge a wide purview to decide how long to give the recipient to become self-sustaining and whether or not they have made and continue to make reasonable efforts to do so.
This is why it is important to contact the experienced Louisville divorce and family law attorneys at Dodd & Dodd. Draw on the decades of experience and sound counsel provided by our attorneys to learn more about your unique circumstances and how the law may be applied in your case.
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.
