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Can spousal support payments be modified in Ohio?

On Behalf of | May 26, 2023 | Spousal Support |

The issue of spousal support, also sometimes referred to as alimony, can be quite complicated in Ohio. In some instances, the life circumstances of each spouse change significantly after the divorce. If this yappens, the spouse that pays support may want to obtain a modification to the order for spousal support.

Spousal support in Ohio

Courts in Ohio have a lot of discretion when it comes to awarding and calculating spousal support during and after a divorce process. However, in many cases, spousal support is calculated similarly. Factors used in this calculation include both parties’:

  • income
  • earning potential
  • assets
  • liabilities
  • retirement benefits
  • physical health and mobility
  • medical needs and expenses
  • education and job training
  • time spent in wedlock
  • standard of living
  • real estate
  • transportation options

Spousal support order modification

The legal system in Ohio also allows for the corresponding spousal support order to be modified by the court as long as language exists in the divorce agreement that allows for it. Modifications to the spousal support order can be requested via a legal motion if the factors outlined in the list above changed substantially over time. For example, if the spouse receiving alimony receives a better job with higher income, reductions in the amount of spousal support can be obtained based on corresponding calculations.

In most cases, spousal support is not permanent and is only temporary. It may only last during the divorce process or a number of years, depending on the length of the marriage. During that time, court orders can modify the required payments as the divorcees’ financial situations change.