Do I Have to Pay Alimony?

By Barkat Law Firm

In Washington, DC alimony is not automatic, and the court only awards support if ordering it would be “just and fair.”

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Unlike some other jurisdictions Washington, DC does not rely on any set formula when determining whether to order alimony or how much support to award. Instead the Court looks to factors enumerated in the D.C. Code in determining claims.

You can view the complete list of factors here, but some of the factors include:

  • the length of marriage
  • what caused the separation
  • the income and assets of both parties
  • the ability of the potential payor to pay
  • the needs of the party seeking support
  • the ability of the potential recipient to live without support
  • the time necessary for the party seeking alimony to gain education or training to obtain employment
  • the standard of living
  • the age of each party
  • the overall health of each party

Because D.C. does not rely on any statutory formulas each case is unique and requires a tailored approach. It’s important to set out a strategy early in the process on how to defend against claims for alimony.

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