Infidelity is often a common reason for divorce and can make things especially complicated during proceedings. While cheating does not automatically cancel out alimony payments, it could be a factor in a judge’s decision. Cheating can be hard to grapple with and involves emotional turmoil that was brought on by no fault of your own. Alimony can be just another stressor on top of this situation, but there are ways to provide evidence to the court to help you potentially avoid payments.
Hiring the help of a PI may benefit you during a divorce and when negotiating alimony payments. While cheating does not mean you will automatically avoid alimony payments, it can help to show if your partner is capable of supporting themselves or is committing other acts that may discredit their story.
Types Of Alimony
It is first important to understand the different types of alimony, because they all require something different and have differing timelines.
- Temporary alimony: This is paid while the divorce is pending and being processed. The higher-earning partner pays for daily expenses and some divorce costs until it is finalized.
- Permanent alimony: Paid on a monthly basis until the death or remarriage of a lower-earning spouse.
- Rehabilitative alimony: This is paid while a lower-earning partner works on increasing their employment chances by pursuing education or training. It is typically only provided until a fixed date or when the partner is able to support themselves.
- Reimbursement alimony: Reimbursing a lower-earning spouse for tuition, work training, or specialized education. This is a one-time payment.
- Lump-sum alimony: Paid in place of a property settlement when one partner doesn’t want any items or values from shared marital assets.
How Are Payments Determined?
The type and amount of alimony that you pay can be discussed and changed depending on your current situation, the state you live in, and more. Even if your partner was cheating, you may still have to pay a form of temporary alimony to them.
The earning capacity of each spouse will be looked at by a judge or legal team before determining what amount and for how long alimony is to be paid. If a spouse can prove that their partner is capable of getting a job and supporting themselves comfortably, alimony payments may not be awarded.
The duration of the marriage may also be considered in monthly payments. If the marriage was short, payments may not be required, or you may be able to settle on rehabilitative alimony instead.
If a partner decides to cohabitate with their affair partner or someone else, this may also negate the need for alimony payments. If their new partner is able to ease their financial burden, courts may spare the divorcing spouse from the high monthly payments needed to support the cost of living.
Detecting A Cheating Partner
Private investigators can help you gather evidence of infidelity to either confront your partner or present in a divorce court. Investigators will use surveillance, record combing, and phone records to give you the confidence to confront your partner about infidelity. All of these techniques should be done by a professional while following local and federal laws.
Working with a registered PI is important if you want to avoid legal troubles or make a cheating spouse suspicious. St. George Private Investigations uses legal and safe techniques that can help you feel safe and won’t get you in trouble with the law.
Help From St. George Investigations
Our private investigation team is here to help you navigate all kinds of legal issues with confidence. We can provide evidence on infidelity, financial fraud, stalking, criminal behavior, and more. Private investigators have been working on helping civilians for decades. Even though we may not use techniques seen in movies, we can still provide peace of mind for our clients.
St. George Investigations knows the law and personal rights so that you get all the tools and information necessary to present a legal case. Whether it is for your own personal safety or the benefit of your company, we are here to help. Contact us to learn what services would be most beneficial to you.