In our practice, we’ve heard this question many times—can alimony payments be reduced?
The short answer: Yes. The longer, more appropriate answer: It depends on your unique situation.
Let’s take a step back and understand alimony to begin with before diving into how alimony payments can be reduced in Michigan.
Alimony: What Is It?
Alimony is a set amount of money paid to a spouse after a marriage ends. Alimony is also known as spousal support or spousal maintenance. One of the most common reasons for paying alimony includes a scenario where a spouse didn’t work during the marriage, therefore having no way to support themselves outside of the union. This is most likely a choice made in agreement between spouses during the time of the marriage.
Therefore, if the marriage ends, the ex is likely entitled to support.
So, what can be done to lower alimony payments?
To lower alimony payments in Michigan, there are a few considerations that would need to go into effect, including:
- The spouse paying alimony becomes unemployed or experiences a dramatic reduction in salary at a new job
- The paying spouse may become ill or disabled
- The supported spouse becomes remarried or is living with a new partner
- The supported spouse has an increase in income
It’s important to remember that just because one of the above items may apply to your situation, the change must be significant in order to adjust alimony.
Get Help Modifying Alimony
If you’d like to learn more about how you can modify your alimony payments or stop them all together, we’d love to learn more about your case.
Contact our team today to get started by scheduling a free, no obligation consultation. We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your goals.