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establishment of arrears at the time of the entry of the order. "Support" and "Alimony" are not the same. Alimony has existed as a tool since the 1980's and was originally created to allow the court to give a dependent spouse an opportunity to obtain employment, or to train for employment, in order that the dependent spouse could maintain himself or herself in the same standard of living which he or she enjoyed during the term of the marriage. Alimony has continued to change over the years, is fact sensitive and can now be permanent. Awards of alimony are now used to achieve economic justice at the time of divorce. Alimony is taxable to the recipient. Spousal support may or may not be taxable to the recipient depending upon how the order is allocated between the recipient spouse and the parties' children. The guideline formula assumes that an order will be unallocated and taxable to the recipient. An award of alimony is modifiable upon changed circumstances and terminates upon remarriage or cohabitation. Awards entered pursuant to alimony agreements may be made non- modifiable. |
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John Wendell Beavers, Esq. John Wendell Beavers & Associates, P.C. (a professional corporation) 1518 Walnut Street, Suite 800 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: 1-215-732-0600 Office Email: trial.lawyer@verizon.net Home Email: jwbesq@comcast.net |