What is Spousal Support and or Child Support and How Much Do I Need To Pay?

Writing A Check
Divorce/Separation and Spousal Support:  There are three types of spousal support.  The first two are support and alimony pendent lite (APL).  The third is alimony.

Spousal support obligation arises out of the marriage relationship.  Support may be awarded prior to the commencement of divorce proceedings and during the separation/estranged phase.  Alimony pendent lite (APL) can only be awarded after the commencement of divorce proceedings but prior to a divorce decree.  The main difference between the two is the timing of the filing for divorce and the defenses that may be claimed.  Generally there are no defenses to a claim for APL while a person may have a defense precluding a spouse from asserting the need for spousal support.  Defenses that may be asserted as grounds for divorce are also defenses to spousal support such as adultery and cruel and barbarous treatment.  Therefore, a spouse that has committed adultery may not be entitled to receive support during the separation phase but could quite possible receive APL once the divorce action is filed.

Spousal support and APL are calculated the same.  The formula takes into consideration the Obligor’s net monthly income minus support payments obligor may have as result of other dependents or former spouses minus child support payments from current litigation minus obligee’s net monthly income multiplied by thirty (30%) percent.  If the parties have no children or child support orders the number would be multiplied by forty (40%) percent.  This formula has been adjusted to require the court to consider the length of marriage in determining its award.  The primary purpose of this provision is to prevent the unfairness that arises in a short-term marriage when the obligor is required to pay support over a substantially longer period of time than the parties were married and there is little or no opportunity for credit for these payments at the time of equitable distribution.

The third type of support is alimony.  The purpose of alimony is to effect economic justice, but it is a secondary remedy and applies only if economic justice cannot be achieved by way of equitable distribution.  This type of an award is rendered post divorce decree to achieve such justice.  There is no formula Pennsylvania courts use to assist in its award.  Rather courts will rely on the seventeen subjective factors listed in 23 Pa. C.S.A. § 3701 (b).  Some of those factors are: length of the marriage; the ages and physical, mental and emotional conditions of the parties; sources of income of the parties; earning capacities of the parties; the earning powers of the parties and the relative needs of the parties.

Child Support: These are payments due to the support of the child regardless of marital status.  Pursuant to federal law, The Family Support Act of 1988 (P. L. 100-485, 102 Stat. 2343 (1988), requires all states to have statewide child support guidelines.

The guidelines take into consideration the parents’ net monthly income.  Once that figure has been determined the guidelines state what the support payments are monthly.  The total payments increase with each child.  The parties are responsible for that suggested guideline figure.  That total figure will be divided according to the percentage of time the child is with their respective parent.  These figures can also be reduced if there are any ongoing support obligations.  Any deviations are based upon a case by case basis.

If you have any questions or need a divorce attorney contact Spadea & Associates, LLC at 610-521-0604.   We suggest you bring your W-2 and last three pay stubs when you come for you free consultation.

What are the Grounds for Divorce in Pennsylvania?

Picture of a family being cut in half
The Complaint for Divorce is the initial document filed with the Pennsylvania court requesting the court to terminate the marriage under certain specified grounds.

No-Fault Based Grounds:  The court may decree a divorce where there is mutual consent and it is alleged that the marriage is irretrievably broken or when the marriage is irretrievably broken and an affidavit has been filed alleging that the parties have lived separate and apart for a period of at least two years.

Fault Based Grounds:  Committed willful and malicious desertion period of at least one year; adultery; by cruel and barbarous treatment, endangered the life or health of the injured and innocent spouse; bigamy; incarceration for at least 2 years; offered such indignities to the innocent and injured spouse as to render that spouse’s condition intolerable and life burdensome.

In Pennsylvania, the property and debt issues are typically settled between the parties by a signed Marital Settlement Agreement or the property award is actually ordered and decreed by the Court.  Pennsylvania is referred to as an “equitable distribution” state. When the parties are unable to reach a settlement, the parties will go through a discovery process to classify which property and debt is to be considered marital. Next, a monetary value needs to be assigned on the marital property and debt.  Lastly, the Court will distribute the marital assets between the two parties in an equitable fashion. Equitable does not mean equal, but rather what is deemed by the Court of Common Pleas to be fair.

If either spouse files for support, the court will consider the following: the earning potential and earning capacities of the parties; the ages and health condition of the parties; the income of the parties; the expectancies and inheritances of the parties; the length of the marriage; the contribution by one party to the earning capacity of the other; the extent to which the earning power, expenses or financial obligations of a party will be affected by reason of serving as the custodian of a minor child; the standard of living of the parties established while married; the relative education of the parties and the time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking alimony to find appropriate employment; the relative assets and liabilities of the parties; any pre-marital property; the contribution of a spouse as homemaker; the relative needs of the parties; any marital misconduct or fault; tax consequences; whether the party seeking alimony lacks sufficient property; and whether the party seeking alimony is incapable of self-support through appropriate employment.

Either or both parents may be ordered to provide child support according to their ability to pay. The factors for consideration set out by statute are: the net income of the parents; the earning capacity of the parents; the assets of the parents; any unusual needs of the child or the parents; and any extraordinary expenses. Child support payments may be ordered to be paid through the Domestic Relations Section of the court. There are official child support guidelines that the Court will take into consideration in determining the support to be paid.

Contact a Ridley Park, PA Divorce Attorney

Please contact Spadea & Associates, LLC at 610-521-0604 if you need help filing for divorce or custody.

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