Alimony / Spousal Support

Maryland and Virginia Alimony Attorney

Protecting Your Financial Stability Before, During, and After Divorce

Ending a marriage often raises serious financial concerns. Whether you’re seeking spousal support or being asked to provide it, you deserve fair treatment and clear guidance. At The Burton Firm, our experienced Maryland and Virginia alimony attorney helps clients understand their rights, obligations, and options when it comes to financial support after separation or divorce.

We represent clients throughout Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland, including Fairfax County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Charles County, Calvert and the Metro D.C. area, offering practical solutions that prioritize financial stability and fairness for both parties.

Understanding Alimony in Maryland and Virginia

Alimony — also known as spousal support — is financial assistance paid by one spouse to the other to help maintain economic balance following a divorce. The goal is to prevent unfair hardship and allow both spouses to move forward on stable ground. Maryland and Virginia courts carefully consider each spouse’s financial situation before determining the amount and duration of support.

Our firm provides skilled representation in all types of alimony cases, ensuring that any order — whether negotiated or court-ordered — is equitable and sustainable.

Types of Alimony in Maryland

Maryland recognizes several forms of alimony, depending on the needs of the recipient and the financial ability of the paying spouse:

• Pendente Lite Alimony: Temporary support awarded while the divorce case is pending to help cover immediate living expenses.
• Rehabilitative Alimony: Short-term support that helps a spouse become self-sufficient through education or job training.
• Indefinite Alimony: Long-term or permanent support awarded when one spouse cannot reasonably achieve financial independence due to age, illness, or disparity in income.

Types of Alimony in Virginia

• Pendente Lite Support – This is short-term support awarded while a divorce is pending. Its purpose is to help a spouse meet basic expenses until the court issues a final divorce order. Temporary support follows statutory guidelines and does not determine what the final alimony award will be
• Rehabilitative or Time-Limited Support – The court may award alimony for a defined period of time. This type of support is often used when one spouse needs time to gain education, job training, or work experience to become financially independent. The award ends on a specific date or when a stated event occurs
• Ongoing (Indefinite) Support – In some cases, the court may award alimony for an undefined duration. This support continues until it is modified or terminated by law, such as when the recipient remarries or either party dies..
• Lump-Sum Alimony – Lump-sum alimony is a fixed amount awarded at the time of divorce. It may be paid all at once or in installments, but unlike monthly support, it is generally not modifiable. Courts use this option sparingly, usually when there are special circumstances
• Reservation of the Right to Alimony – Even if alimony is not awarded at the time of divorce, the court may reserve a spouse’s right to request support in the future. This protects a spouse if circumstances change, such as job loss, illness, or retirement

We help clients identify which type of alimony applies to their situation and prepare strong evidence to support their claim or defense.

How Courts Determine Alimony

There is no fixed formula for alimony in Maryland. Instead, courts review multiple factors to decide what is fair and appropriate. These may include:

• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse’s income, earning capacity, and financial needs
• Contributions made to the marriage — both financial and non-financial
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• Age, health, and ability to work
• Marital misconduct or grounds for divorce

As your legal advocate, we carefully analyze each factor to present a complete and persuasive case to the court or during negotiations.

Negotiating and Modifying Alimony

In many cases, alimony can be negotiated through settlement rather than litigated in court. Our firm helps clients reach fair agreements that protect their long-term interests while avoiding unnecessary conflict. If your circumstances change after a divorce — such as loss of income, retirement, or remarriage — we can assist with modifying or terminating alimony orders to reflect your new situation.

Alimony and Property Division

Alimony decisions often go hand in hand with division of marital property. Courts consider the total financial picture when determining whether support is appropriate. We ensure that both issues are addressed strategically to achieve the most equitable outcome possible. We also assist with retirement assets in divorce , which can play a key role in long-term financial security.