Columbus Spousal Support Attorney
When one spouse has been dependent on the other over the course of a marriage that is ending in divorce, spousal support (alimony) is a way to address the needs of the soon-to-be financially independent individual. Perhaps the dependent wife or husband gave up educational and/or career opportunities in the past in order to follow and/or support the wage earner.
Whether you are the dependent spouse needing spousal support, or the wage earner seeking reasonable limits to potential spousal support, contact Dougherty, Hanneman & Snedaker, LLC (“DHS”) in Columbus, Ohio.
It May Depend on the Judge
Unlike child support, which is determined by state guidelines, spousal support is a subjective aspect of divorce. The range of spousal support amounts awarded in Ohio varies greatly from county to county, magistrate to magistrate, and judge to judge. It is important to hire experienced attorneys to protect your rights and advocate in your best interest. The higher the incomes and assets in a marital dissolution case, the higher the stakes are regarding both parties likely ultimate net worth.
Spousal Support May Be the Most Important Aspect of Your Divorce
In many high income and significant asset cases, the question of spousal support becomes the most important issue for the dependent spouse, the wage-earner spouse or both. The DHS law firm has the latest and most sophisticated computer software, and other tools, necessary to help project the tax consequences and long-term benefits of liabilities that may be created by a particular mix of asset division, alimony and any applicable child support.
Enlist a Professional Team
When needed, the DHS law firm brings in other professionals, such as CPAs and divorce financial planners, to help sort out the pros and cons of proposed settlement agreements. These consultants are prepared to serve as expert witnesses if the client’s divorce case goes to trial.
What About Uncle Sam?
Child support is not subject to income tax. It is neither deductible nor declarable income. Spousal support, on the other hand, may be deductible for the payor and is required as “included income” for the payee. In high income and significant asset divorce cases, intricate negotiations may be necessary to determine the most equitable and favorable settlement.
Regardless of the level of acrimony between spouses, nearly all divorcing clients of the DHS law firm agree that it is desirable to keep as much money as possible between them, paying only what is required to the IRS. The three parties to the divorce – the husband, wife and the IRS – are all taken into account when the DHS law firm handles a high-income and significant asset Ohio divorce.
Success Stories
The DHS law firm attorneys have produced successful outcomes for many family law clients. Please click here to read about success stories that reflect various family law issues. Perhaps you will see your marital issues reflected in one or more of these brief stories.
Contact Us
Please contact DHS for a confidential consultation with Attorneys Dougherty, Hanneman or Snedaker. Each is an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Family Relations Law, and they are three of only 106 attorneys in Ohio who have earned this designation as of January 1, 2010.
The law firm is located in a safe, convenient northwest Columbus suburb with free on-site parking. The offices are in a classic redbrick building next to Bravo! Cucina Italiana restaurant on Hayden Road, near the corner of Sawmill Road and Bethel Road, and east of Riverside Drive (state Route 33).
