Maintenance (Alimony) Checklist


Monetary issues can often add to the stress of divorce. A often contested issue is maintenance or alimony, which is a sum of money paid from one spouse to the other so the lower-earning spouse may maintain a standard of living he or she would have enjoyed if the marriage had not ended.

To help you better understand maintenance or alimony, Stern Perkoski Mendez has compiled this checklist. Though it is not exhaustive, we hope it provides a foundation to understand the factors considered for maintenance in Evanston, Chicago, Lake Forest, Oak Brook and the surrounding suburbs.

As always, it is advisable to consult with a divorce attorney about the specifics of your case. Please feel free to contact Stern Perkoski Mendez with any questions you may have.

Maintenance (Alimony) Checklist for Illinois

A number of factors are considered in calculating maintenance in Illinois:

  • What is the income and property of each party?
  • Can the needs of each party be met by his or her income?
  • What is the present and future earning capacity of each party?
  • Has there been any impairment of earning capacity due to devoting time to domestic duties or due to the marriage?
  • Will the party seeking maintenance have the ability to become self-sufficient?
  • If so, what is the necessary timeframe to do so?
  • Does the age or physical and emotional condition of either party impair his or her ability to become self-sufficient?
  • What was the standard of living established during the marriage?
  • What was the duration of the marriage?
  • What are the tax consequences of the property division upon the respective economic circumstances of the parties?
  • Were there contributions and services by the party seeking maintenance to the education, training, career or career potential or license of the other spouse?
  • Does any valid agreement between the parties exist?
  • Are there any other factors that the court expressly finds to be just and equitable?

Contact Our Family Law Firm in Evanston, Chicago, Lake Forest and Oak Brook

Contact Stern Perkoski Mendez with any questions about maintenance or alimony; we are happy to help. Request a free consultation online or call us at (847) 868-9584. We can meet with you in our offices in Evanston, Chicago, Lake Forest and Oak Brook, or at another location.

Our boutique family law firm is based in Evanston, Chicago, Lake Forest and Oak Brook. We serve clients across Cook County and the North Shore, as well as Lake, DuPage and Will Counties.

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“After being asked for a divorce after 20+ years of marriage, I was in shock. Nancy explained things in terms that made sense, and kept me focused throughout the emotional rollercoaster.”

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For a free consultation, call Stern Perkoski Mendez at (847) 868-9584 or contact us.