The Real World of Alimony (Spousal Maintenance) Under Washington State Divorce Law
On the other hand marriages longer than 20 years almost always do involve some form of maintenance, or "evening out" of the income and assets over time. The goal of the Court in such long-term marriages is mainly to maintain the party's financial standing at the same level for a considerable time after the marriage.
Spousal maintenance in Washington has traditionally been defined by an oft-quoted (and legally cited) bar journal article by Judge Windsor. It has been cited in many Washington divorce Supreme court cases.
Recently, there has been discussion regarding a new metaphor. A recent (2006) Washington State Bar Journal article discusses the subject. Maintenance can be highly discretionary and the cases I have dealt with on appeal have been difficult to overturn. That is basically the general consensus: the Judge or Commissioner must have really, really screwed up before they overturn it. Yes, you are thinking the right thing: it is very important to win at the lower levels. Don't sit back and comfort yourself that "If they make the wrong decision I can just appeal." This is not tax or corporate law. There are fewer analytical rules to follow. And this is alimony in the real world.
Seattle Divorce Attorney Robert Stark specialize in Washington State Divorce family law, child custody law, Washington Divorce cases and much more.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.goinglegal.com/the-real-world-of-alimony-spousal-maintenance-under-washington-state-divorce-law-250776.html
Source: http://www.goinglegal.com/the-real-world-of-alimony-spousal-maintenance-under-washington-state-divorce-law-250776.html