The perils of permanent alimony remain for people getting divorced in Georgia. What is permanent alimony? Permanent alimony is when one spouse is required to pay their ex-spouse alimony for the rest of their life or until their ex dies or in many cases, remarries.
Permanent alimony has been debated for a long time in Georgia. Supporters of permanent alimony remain and many opponents of permanent alimony has gained traction in recent years after other states have reformed and gotten rid of permanent alimony requirements.
Supporters of permanent alimony say that there are some cases where an ex-spouse needs alimony to help them live their life. They cite cases where an ex-spouse has a disability and can no longer work. While there are other arguments as to why spouses should receive alimony for the rest of their lives, there seems to be more opposition to permanent alimony remaining in Georgia.
Opponents of permanent alimony say that it can be very detrimental to the spouse who is required to pay alimony to their former spouse for the rest of their life, even if their ex is able to support themselves on their own. Some people who argue for revising permanent alimony laws say it isn’t fair to require one person to pay alimony for the rest of their life because situations change and it shouldn’t require constant court battles to try and change alimony payment orders.
The debate over permanent alimony will no doubt continue in Georgia. Individuals who have been ordered to pay permanent alimony should consult a divorce attorney to discuss what options may be available to change this order. On the other hand, individuals who believe they should be receiving permanent alimony should also consult a divorce attorney because they may be entitled to permanent alimony under current laws in Georgia.
Source: US News, “Taking the ‘Permanent’ Out of Permanent Alimony,” Geoff Williams, Jan. 23, 2013