Spousal Support
in Oregon Divorce Mediation:
Mediator Matthew House, J.D.
Spousal Support is the legal term in Oregon for what some call "alimony." Spousal support is money paid by one party to the other party, upon a divorce, for reasons other than child support or property division. Oregon law recognizes three types of spousal support. Matthew can provide greater detail when you discuss spousal support in mediation.
Spousal support is always negotiable in mediation. Not every case involves spousal support. Whether, how long, and in what amount spousal support should be paid depends on the circumstances of the case. Matthew will explain the factors to consider and the general guidelines for determining an amount and duration. If spousal support is included in a dissolution (divorce) judgment, it can be paid periodically, as a lump sum, or both. If spousal support is not included in the original dissolution judgment, it cannot be added later. However, spousal support included in an original dissolution judgment can be modified or terminated in the future by court order, unless the parties have stipulated that it is non-modifiable.
Please do not rely on anecdotes from friends, colleagues, or online message boards to understand spousal support. Your circumstances may be very different from those of the person supplying you the information. Even information you may glean from legitimate sources may be incorrect, taken out of context, misinterpreted, obsolete, or based on the laws of a different state. The best approach is to wait until you have met with Matthew. You will get an objective and accurate understanding of spousal support.
- Transitional spousal support is meant to assist the receiving party in making the transition to financial independence.
- Maintenance spousal support may be appropriate if there is a disparity in earning capacity to maintain a standard of living reasonably comparable to that which was enjoyed during the marriage.
- Compensatory spousal support can be awarded to one party for significant financial or other contributions to the other party's education, training, career, or earning capacity.
Spousal support is always negotiable in mediation. Not every case involves spousal support. Whether, how long, and in what amount spousal support should be paid depends on the circumstances of the case. Matthew will explain the factors to consider and the general guidelines for determining an amount and duration. If spousal support is included in a dissolution (divorce) judgment, it can be paid periodically, as a lump sum, or both. If spousal support is not included in the original dissolution judgment, it cannot be added later. However, spousal support included in an original dissolution judgment can be modified or terminated in the future by court order, unless the parties have stipulated that it is non-modifiable.
Please do not rely on anecdotes from friends, colleagues, or online message boards to understand spousal support. Your circumstances may be very different from those of the person supplying you the information. Even information you may glean from legitimate sources may be incorrect, taken out of context, misinterpreted, obsolete, or based on the laws of a different state. The best approach is to wait until you have met with Matthew. You will get an objective and accurate understanding of spousal support.