Long Island Maintenance/Alimony Attorneys

Maintenance or Alimony refers to the monetary payment one spouse makes to the other during or after a divorce. The purpose of maintenance/alimony is to cover the dependent spouse’s basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, medical costs, and other standards of living. During some marriages, one spouse may have been financially dependent on the other. When the marriage ends the dependent spouse no longer has the financial resources to support theirself. Maintenance/Alimony provides the dependent spouse with an income until he/she becomes financially self-sufficient.

How is the amount of Maintenance/Alimony determined?

New York has no set formula for determining maintenance/alimony. Although every person has the legal right to file for support, there is no guarantee it will be awarded.  The determination of maintenance/alimony is based on a number of factors including each spouse’s physical and mental health, the length of the marriage, the presence of any children, each spouse’s current and potential income, financial status, financial resources, contributions to the household, and ability to become financially self-sufficient. 

Duration of New York Spousal Support

Permanent maintenance is paid for an indefinite period of time unless the court approves a change or death occurs. Permanent support is used to assist in providing the dependent spouse’s basic necessities such as clothing, shelter, food, medical costs and insurance in order to maintain a certain standard of living.

Rehabilitative support is only made temporarily until the dependent spouse becomes financially self-sufficient. 


All forms of maintenance/alimony end when the dependent spouse remarries, or either spouse dies. Maintenance may also end due to the recipient's cohabitation with an unrelated person.

How Long Must I Make Maintenance/Alimony Payments?

Depending on the circumstances, Maintenance/Alimony payments can be short-term or long-term payments. Like child support, a spouse can request an increase, decrease, or termination in the amount of alimony/maintenance being paid. All requests for a change must be agreed upon or approved by the court except when death occurs, in which case the payments would immediately be terminated.

Contact Long Island Maintenance Attorneys

In order to protect your personal rights, it is important to contact an experienced New York matrimonial law attorney. The lawyers at the office of Winkler, Kurtz, Winkler, Kuhn have achieved successful results for numerous clients seeking to receive maintenance as well as those opposing such payments.

At Winkler, Kurtz, Winkler & Kuhn, our lawyers take special care to ensure each of their clients have their rights protected. We only employ attorneys who will work effeciently on your behalf to provide you with expert legal advice and a variety of options. If you are in need of a New York matrimonial law attorney, contact the office of Winkler, Kurtz, Winkler today!