Navigating Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) in New York

Episode Summary: In this episode, we delve into the complexities of spousal maintenance (alimony) in New York. Attorney Yonatan Levoritz breaks down the different types of spousal maintenance, the 15 factors courts consider when determining support, and the role of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. He also discusses how courts assess financial capabilities, common disputes, the impact of child support obligations, and what happens when a party fails to make payments. Tune in to gain valuable insights on ensuring fair spousal maintenance agreements. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Law & Life: The Levoritz’s Approach 00:04 – Topic introduction: Spousal maintenance in New York 00:19 – Overview of different types of spousal maintenance 00:36 – The 15 factors courts consider when determining spousal maintenance 01:37 – The role of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements in maintenance 02:31 – How New York courts calculate maintenance amount and duration 03:48 – Strategies for advocating fair spousal maintenance 04:50 – How prenuptial and postnuptial agreements impact maintenance 05:27 – Assessing financial capabilities: W-2 income vs. vocational experts 06:26 – Challenging an unfair maintenance order 07:15 – The role of vocational experts in court cases 08:02 – Common disputes in spousal maintenance cases 09:22 – Can spousal maintenance be modified post-divorce? 10:33 – Key legal cases impacting spousal maintenance (e.g., Sass v. Sass) 12:05 – How spousal maintenance intersects with child support 13:26 – Steps to take when spousal maintenance payments are not made 14:40 – Best practices for negotiating spousal maintenance agreements 15:55 – Legal resources for those dealing with maintenance disputes About the Show: Welcome to Law & Life: The Levoritz Approach, where experienced attorney Yonatan Levoritz provides insights into family law and related legal topics. Hosted by Kevin Rosenquist, each episode explores key legal issues, practical advice, and real-world examples to help listeners navigate complex legal matters.