Alimony and Spousal Support Attorneys in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Divorce often presents both emotional and financial challenges. One of the most significant financial issues is determining alimony and spousal support. These payments can profoundly affect your stability during and after divorce. 

Courts examine multiple factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning potential, age, health, and lifestyle, to decide the appropriate support obligations. Understanding these elements can help you make informed choices.

Our lawyers at Brener Hurteau Family Law provide tailored guidance for high-asset and high-conflict cases. We assist clients in reviewing their financial situations and the factors that influence separate support and maintenance, allowing you to make decisions that support your family's long-term needs and goals. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with our firm.

Our team at Brener Hurteau Family Law, located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, serves clients throughout Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Charleston, James Island, Johns Island, Daniel Island, and Kiawah Island. 

Types of Support We Help With

South Carolina recognizes several types of spousal support to accommodate different situations after divorce. Each type serves a specific purpose, whether temporary, ongoing, or one-time. Knowing your options is essential for planning your financial future and assuring fair treatment in divorce proceedings.

• Temporary alimony – Provides financial support during divorce proceedings. It is intended to stabilize the recipient spouse’s finances until the court issues a final order.

• Rehabilitative alimony – Supports a spouse while they gain the education, training, or skills needed to become self-sufficient.

• Permanent alimony – Offered in long-term marriages or when a spouse can't achieve independence due to age, health, or other limitations. 

• Lump-sum alimony – A one-time payment that satisfies support obligations in full. 

• Periodic alimony – Recurring payments distributed over a set period. 

• Contractual agreements – Parties may negotiate support terms independently and submit agreements to the court for approval, offering predictability and minimizing conflict.

Whether through court-ordered alimony or mutually agreed-upon arrangements, knowing your options helps assure that support is fair, appropriate, and tailored to each unique situation.

Factors That Impact Support

Several factors influence alimony and spousal support awards. The court’s goal is to achieve fairness while considering the unique circumstances of both spouses. Knowing these factors before filing or responding to a claim allows you to prepare and protect your family and your financial future.

• Length of the marriage: Courts consider the standard of living established during the marriage and attempt to maintain consistency wherever reasonable.

• Income and earning potential: Judges examine current income, potential career growth, and educational background for both parties. 

• Age and health: Older spouses or those facing health challenges may require more substantial or longer-term support. 

• Contributions to the marriage: Contributions include both financial and non-financial support, such as childcare, homemaking, and supporting a spouse’s career. 

• Standard of living: The court evaluates the marital lifestyle and attempts to preserve a similar standard for both parties, particularly in long-term marriages or high-income households.

• Financial needs and debts: Spouses with significant debt, obligations, or special financial circumstances may receive adjustments to assure fairness. 

• Custody arrangements: If children are involved, custody and parenting schedules can impact the amount and duration of alimony payments.

• Future earning potential: The court evaluates whether either spouse has the capacity to increase income after divorce.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2022, approximately 1.3 million Americans received spousal support, highlighting the prevalence of alimony arrangements in divorce cases. This demonstrates how common these financial obligations are and the importance of understanding them before entering negotiations or litigation.

Negotiations and Court Proceedings

Negotiating or contesting spousal support requires a thoughtful, informed approach. Proper preparation helps protect your interests and assures your needs are fairly represented. Following these steps can improve outcomes and reduce uncertainty throughout the process.

• Gather financial records: Collect documentation, including tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, retirement accounts, and debt information.

• Clarify your financial priorities: Determine what you need to maintain stability, including housing, transportation, and medical costs. 

• Consider mediation or negotiation: Mediation offers a less adversarial approach to resolving spousal support disputes. 

• Assess tax implications: Alimony payments carry tax consequences for both payers and recipients. 

• Prepare for modifications: Life circumstances may change, requiring adjustments to spousal support. 

By preparing thoroughly and understanding your financial needs, you can achieve outcomes that protect your stability and long-term interests. Brener Hurteau Family Law can help you develop a strategy tailored to your circumstances.

Planning and Protecting Your Financial Future in Divorce

Alimony and spousal support decisions have long-term consequences for both parties in a divorce. Our lawyers, Andrew Brener and Savannah Hurteau, guide clients through the intricacies of family law with a boutique approach. We focus on creating strategies that meet your financial and personal needs while providing strong advocacy in negotiations or court proceedings.

With a boutique approach, we handle high-conflict and high-asset cases with attention to detail and personalized service. We review all aspects of your financial situation, consider the factors affecting support, and present informed recommendations.

Impacts on Your Financial Future

Alimony can affect retirement planning, investment decisions, and day-to-day budgeting. Considering its long-term implications helps you make informed choices during divorce negotiations. South Carolina courts aim to balance the needs of both spouses while accounting for financial realities and future earning potential.

Spousal support can also influence lifestyle changes. Recipients may need to adjust expenses, while payers must plan for ongoing obligations.

Informed Decisions About Support

Making decisions regarding alimony and spousal support requires understanding the legal rules, financial considerations, and personal priorities. Engaging with experienced lawyers early in the process assures that your rights and needs are considered from the outset. 

From reviewing income and expenses to evaluating potential adjustments and tax consequences, our lawyers assist in crafting solutions that protect your financial security. Whether negotiating agreements, preparing for court hearings, or advising on post-divorce modifications, we focus on delivering practical, tailored support to meet each client’s unique situation.

Planning for Long-Term Security 

Divorce and alimony decisions have consequences that extend far beyond the immediate separation. Planning for long-term financial security requires careful evaluation of income, expenses, assets, and support obligations. Proper planning assures that both parties can maintain stability and meet future goals.

Brener Hurteau Family Law assists clients with strategies for managing spousal support, addressing modifications when circumstances change, and integrating alimony into broader financial plans. We guide clients through considerations such as retirement contributions, healthcare needs, and asset division, assuring that decisions made today support long-term stability.

We also educate clients about their rights under South Carolina law, helping them make informed choices that reduce uncertainty and prevent future disputes. By providing personalized attention and strategic guidance, we support clients in achieving fair and sustainable outcomes for their financial futures.

Alimony & Spousal Support Lawyers Serving South Carolina

At Brener Hurteau Family Law, our lawyers provide personalized guidance for clients managing these challenging issues. We serve clients in Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Charleston, James Island, Johns Island, Daniel Island, and Kiawah Island in South Carolina. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.