Spousal Support and Alimony

Nevada courts are authorized to award spousal support (referred to as alimony) to either spouse. The amount of spousal support determined, if any by a court, may be a lump sum or payments for a specified time frame. The court has been given great latitude to consider any factor it considers relevant in determining a just and equitable amount.

The basis or grounds for which Nevada courts have ruled in favor of alimony and the amount of alimony have been extremely situational and varies from case to case. Each judge used their own discretion after analyzing the need of the person requesting the award against the ability to pay of the other spouse.

Here are few issues the judge may consider;

- Duration of the marriage

- The income and earning ability of each spouse

- The current financial condition of each spouse

- The contribution of either spouse as homemaker during the marriage

- Whether the payor spouse has obtained greater job skills or education during the marriage

Enforcement of alimony may be an issue. The payee spouse may have the same remedies available to him or her for the collection of the unpaid alimony as other person with an unpaid monetary decree. And the payee spouse may petition the court for nonpayment of alimony. If the payor spouse is found to be in contempt for failure to pay alimony the payor spouse may be imprisoned.