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Alimony/Child Support

When two people divorce, one of the former spouses may be required to pay alimony or spousal support to the other. Alimony awards in a divorce depend upon a number of factors, including the length of the marriage, the standard of living established during the marriage, discrepancy in earning power, and other relevant factors.

Alimony is often a contentious issue in a Virginia divorce, but the lawyers at Nichols Zauzig can help you fight for your legal rights during an alimony dispute. We have successfully represented countless individuals seeking alimony or seeking to reduce or eliminate alimony during a divorce, and we can put our legal knowledge and expertise to work for you.

When is alimony awarded?

Alimony, or spousal support, is money paid from one spouse to another to provide financial support following the divorce. For income tax purposes, alimony is declared as income by the receiving spouse and the paying spouse may take a tax deduction for the amount paid. The divorcing parties may negotiate an alimony arrangement on their own or the court may award alimony.

Alimony is typically awarded in long-term marriages and in situations where one spouse is earning, or has the potential to earn, a higher income than the other. For instance, if one spouse has been a stay-at-home parent and the other has a successful career, the working spouse may be required to pay alimony to the non-working spouse.

What are the two types of alimony in Virginia?

Alimony takes two forms in Virginia: indefinite alimony and limited duration alimony. Indefinite alimony is alimony paid for the remainder of the recipient’s life, unless or until the recipient remarries or the court modifies or terminates the award. Lifetime alimony is typically awarded where there is a discrepancy in earning power that is unlikely to be resolved. For instance, if one spouse is disabled or has been out of the workforce for a long time and would be unable to increase his or her ability to earn a substantial living, then the court may award that spouse lifetime alimony.

When is limited duration alimony awarded?

Limited duration alimony is awarded in situations where one spouse needs time to get back on his or her feet and increase his or her earning power. For example, if one spouse has the potential to return to work and earn a substantial income in a year or two when the kids are grown, or if one spouse just needs a refresher class or a license renewal before he or she can begin working, then limited duration alimony may be appropriate. Limited duration alimony gives the recipient the support he or she needs while such support is necessary, but recognizes that the support will not always be required.

Getting legal help

Alimony is extremely important to the recipients, but often aggravating to the payers. At Nichols Zauzig, we help clients to obtain alimony payments, as well as clients fighting to prevent, modify or reduce alimony payments.

For help with alimony or any other divorce-related dispute, contact the experienced Virginia divorce attorneys at Nichols Zauzig. With three convenient locations in Woodbridge, Manassas and Stafford, we are available to clients throughout Northern Virginia.

Ready to get in touch? Contact Us Today
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RESOURCES

Family Law group provides breakfast for SERVE shelter guests

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Community, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce | No Comments
On a recent Sunday morning, the Nichols Zauzig Family Law Section brought the comfort and warmth of home-cooked meals to about 60 guests at the SERVE Family Shelter in Prince…
Best Lawyers at Nichols Zauzig 2024

6 Nichols Zauzig Partners Honored by Best Lawyers® for 2024

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  Congratulations to Chuck Zauzig, Paul F. Nichols, Cassandra M. Chin, Claire Keena and Melissa Ray for being selected by their peers to be included in the 2024 edition of…

Nichols Zauzig Recognized Among Largest Law Firms in Virginia

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, International Matrimonial Law, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death | No Comments
Nichols Zauzig is pleased to be named as one of the largest law firms in Virginia, according to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. The 2023 survey of “Virginia’s Largest Law Firms” is…

Attorney Cassandra Chin elected Vice President of National AAML

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation | No Comments
We are excited to announce that Cassandra Chin, a partner with Nichols Zauzig, was elected one of the Vice Presidents of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) at the…

5 Nichols Zauzig Partners Named Best Lawyers® for 2023

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death | No Comments
Congratulations to Chuck Zauzig, Paul F. Nichols, Cassandra M. Chin, Claire Keena and Melissa Ray for being selected by their peers to be included in the 2023 edition of The…

Nichols presented with Family Law Lifetime Achievement Award at 2022 Virginia Bar meeting

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation | No Comments
Paul F. Nichols was honored last month with the Virginia State Bar Family Law Board of Governors Lifetime Achievement Award, which he earned in 2021, but the in-person presentation was…
Divorce in 2019 Woodbridge lawyers Nichols Zauzig

6 tasks before filing for divorce in Virginia in 2019

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Family Law/Divorce | No Comments
By: Paul F. Nichols, AAML, Divorce Attorney and Partner with Nichols Zauzig  Now that you have decided to start the divorce process, take these six steps before filing for divorce…
Best Lawyers® names Nichols Zauzig "Best Law Firm" Top Tier in Northern Virginia

Nichols Zauzig named 2019 U.S. News-Best Lawyers® Best Law Firm

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Drug Offenses, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, International Matrimonial Law, Malicious Wounding & Violent Offenses, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Probation Violation, Protective Orders, Rights Restoration, Search, Seizure & Miranda Rights, Theft Offenses, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death | No Comments
For the 9th consecutive year, Nichols Zauzig Sandler is honored to be ranked in Tier 1 of the 2019 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list. Earning Tier…
Top Divorce Attorney Andrew Taylor Joins Nichols Zauzig Woodbridge

Family Law Attorney J. Andrew Taylor Joins Nichols Zauzig Sandler

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce | No Comments
Nichols Zauzig Sandler is pleased to welcome Family Law Attorney J. Andrew Taylor. Mr. Taylor brings 11 years experience focusing on the practice of family law in the Manassas and…
Nichols Zauzig named Top Lawyers by Northern Virginia Magazine

Nichols Zauzig Sandler partners named Super Lawyers for 12th year

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, International Matrimonial Law, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death | No Comments
For the 12th consecutive year, Charles J. Zauzig, Paul F. Nichols and Betty Moore Sandler have been named Super Lawyers in Virginia. In addition, they have each been named a…
Ready to get in touch? Contact Us Today

RESOURCES

Family Law group provides breakfast for SERVE shelter guests

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Community, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce | No Comments
On a recent Sunday morning, the Nichols Zauzig Family Law Section brought the comfort and warmth of home-cooked meals to about 60 guests at the SERVE Family Shelter in Prince…
Best Lawyers at Nichols Zauzig 2024

6 Nichols Zauzig Partners Honored by Best Lawyers® for 2024

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death | No Comments
  Congratulations to Chuck Zauzig, Paul F. Nichols, Cassandra M. Chin, Claire Keena and Melissa Ray for being selected by their peers to be included in the 2024 edition of…

Nichols Zauzig Recognized Among Largest Law Firms in Virginia

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, International Matrimonial Law, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death | No Comments
Nichols Zauzig is pleased to be named as one of the largest law firms in Virginia, according to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. The 2023 survey of “Virginia’s Largest Law Firms” is…

Attorney Cassandra Chin elected Vice President of National AAML

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation | No Comments
We are excited to announce that Cassandra Chin, a partner with Nichols Zauzig, was elected one of the Vice Presidents of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) at the…

5 Nichols Zauzig Partners Named Best Lawyers® for 2023

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death | No Comments
Congratulations to Chuck Zauzig, Paul F. Nichols, Cassandra M. Chin, Claire Keena and Melissa Ray for being selected by their peers to be included in the 2023 edition of The…

Nichols presented with Family Law Lifetime Achievement Award at 2022 Virginia Bar meeting

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation | No Comments
Paul F. Nichols was honored last month with the Virginia State Bar Family Law Board of Governors Lifetime Achievement Award, which he earned in 2021, but the in-person presentation was…
Divorce in 2019 Woodbridge lawyers Nichols Zauzig

6 tasks before filing for divorce in Virginia in 2019

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Family Law/Divorce | No Comments
By: Paul F. Nichols, AAML, Divorce Attorney and Partner with Nichols Zauzig  Now that you have decided to start the divorce process, take these six steps before filing for divorce…
Best Lawyers® names Nichols Zauzig "Best Law Firm" Top Tier in Northern Virginia

Nichols Zauzig named 2019 U.S. News-Best Lawyers® Best Law Firm

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Drug Offenses, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, International Matrimonial Law, Malicious Wounding & Violent Offenses, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Probation Violation, Protective Orders, Rights Restoration, Search, Seizure & Miranda Rights, Theft Offenses, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death | No Comments
For the 9th consecutive year, Nichols Zauzig Sandler is honored to be ranked in Tier 1 of the 2019 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list. Earning Tier…
Top Divorce Attorney Andrew Taylor Joins Nichols Zauzig Woodbridge

Family Law Attorney J. Andrew Taylor Joins Nichols Zauzig Sandler

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce | No Comments
Nichols Zauzig Sandler is pleased to welcome Family Law Attorney J. Andrew Taylor. Mr. Taylor brings 11 years experience focusing on the practice of family law in the Manassas and…
Nichols Zauzig named Top Lawyers by Northern Virginia Magazine

Nichols Zauzig Sandler partners named Super Lawyers for 12th year

| Alimony/Spousal Support, Automobile Accidents, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Separation, Equitable Distribtuion, Family Law/Divorce, Grandparent Custody/Visitation, International Matrimonial Law, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death | No Comments
For the 12th consecutive year, Charles J. Zauzig, Paul F. Nichols and Betty Moore Sandler have been named Super Lawyers in Virginia. In addition, they have each been named a…