Divorce is not just emotionally difficult to process, but it is also financially stressful, especially if you need to find a job after spending years taking care of the family at home. Louisiana law recognizes that the financial disparity between two spouses can be a significant factor in determining their post-divorce standard of living and aims to level the playing field through an award of spousal support.
Spousal support factors in Louisiana
Under Louisiana law, if a spouse is not at fault in their divorce and is in need of financial support, and the other spouse is able to pay spousal support, a final periodic spousal support order will be awarded based on the following factors:
- How much each spouse currently earns and their future earning capacity
- Each spouse’s financial obligations
- How long it will take the receiving spouse to obtain the education or training needed to find a job
- Each spouse’s health
- How old each spouse is
- How long the spouses’ marriage lasted
- Tax consequences, and
- Whether domestic violence was an issue in the marriage
It is important to note that even after consideration of all these factors, a spousal support award cannot be greater than one-third of the supporting spouse’s net income.
Spousal support can help a financially disadvantaged spouse
Being thrust into a situation where you are moving from a two-income household to a single income can be financially difficult. This is especially true if you stayed out of the workforce while married and are now facing the prospect of having to find a job to support yourself and any children in your custody.
Louisiana law recognizes this difficulty and provides for spousal support in certain situations. Spousal support can be key in ensuring you can pay your bills, afford appropriate housing and take care of your other financial needs post-divorce.