A prenuptial agreement, also known as a “prenup” or premarital agreement, is a legal contract that a couple may enter into before getting married. This agreement outlines how certain issues will be handled either during a divorce, or upon the death of one spouse, including the division of assets and liabilities. While many people associate prenups with property division, these agreements can also address other important financial issues, such as alimony. For those who are considering a prenuptial agreement and want to know more about their options for addressing alimony, a skilled family law attorney can provide very valuable legal guidance.
Understanding Alimony in Illinois
In Illinois, alimony is also known as maintenance, or spousal maintenance, or spousal support. Alimony consists of financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. The purpose of spousal maintenance is to help the spouse who receives this support maintain their standard of living and transition into single life.
During a divorce, the court will consider several factors when determining whether to award spousal maintenance, how much should be awarded, and how long it should be paid. These factors include:
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