In a high-asset divorce, the outcome of an alimony dispute can have tremendous ramifications for your financial wellbeing for a long time to come. Therefore, regardless of which side of the issue you fall on, you need to know how to craft persuasive arguments that support your position. In the context of spousal support, this includes properly addressing the marital standard of living.
Why the marital standard of living matters
When determining how much alimony should be paid in a given case, a court will assess a number of factors. Amongst them is the standard of living that the parties enjoyed during their marriage. The court considers this aspect because its ultimate goal in a spousal support determination is to try to position the receiving spouse such that he or she can enjoy the same or a similar standard of living as he or she tries to become self-supporting.
How the marital standard of living is assessed
Nearly every aspect of your married life may be put under the microscope when the marital standard of living is being addressed. This means that the house that you lived in and the vehicles that you drove can paint a telling picture, and so, too, can the vacations that you took, the clothes that you wore, and even the frequency with which you went shopping and dined out. Any aspect of your married life that was funded by debt, though, will be excluded from the consideration, which can leave a lot of room for argument in a spousal support dispute.
Do you know how to build the compelling arguments that you need?
Keep in mind that the marital standard of living is just one piece of the picture when it comes to addressing an alimony issue. That’s why it’s critically important that you take a holistic approach to your case, armed with evidence to support your position. Only then can you present the court with the persuasive legal arguments that you need to position yourself for success.
