The Alimony Bill, or Bill A845, makes significant changes to the way alimony is paid in divorce cases. This bill is designed to give attorneys, litigants, and judges a set of rules to adhere to when deciding how much alimony an ex-spouse should receive and how long the payments should continue. If you’re a New Jersey resident, here are some essential state alimony laws you should know.
Changes to New Jersey alimony laws
Alimony changes can take place if the person paying the alimony wants to retire or if the person receiving alimony wants to live with a new partner. If the payor has become unemployed or underemployed, this can affect New Jersey alimony payments as well.
The length of time that people can receive alimony will be scrutinized by the New Jersey court to either lengthen or shorten the time the payments are made. Separate homes also have an impact on alimony since different households have separate needs and expenses.
Points to keep in mind
If you were married or in a civil union for less than 20 years, the length of time for alimony payments cannot be longer than the civil union or marriage. In some cases, however, the judge will make an exception.
If you are receiving alimony payments and enter into a marriage or marital-like relationship with someone else, the paying spouse can take the case to court to suspend or terminate payments. Keep in mind that the paying spouse does not have to prove that the spouse receiving the payments is living with a new person; they only have to prove that the payee is in a new relationship. The judge will also assess alimony payments based on household chores, income, and family structure.
