Spousal Support & Alimony Calculations Flashcards
7 cards from real CDA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Spousal Support & Alimony Calculations flashcards as text
When structuring alimony as a lump-sum payment, which of the following is a key advantage for the paying spouse?
Answer: Eliminates ongoing monthly obligations and future legal disputes
A lump-sum alimony payment creates a clean financial break, eliminating the risk of future court proceedings over modifications.
The 'marital standard of living' factor in alimony calculations is intended to:
Answer: Guide courts in setting a reasonable support amount relative to past lifestyle
Courts use the marital standard of living as a benchmark, though neither spouse may be able to maintain it fully post-divorce.
A spouse seeking alimony voluntarily left a high-paying career years before divorce to raise children. The court is most likely to:
Answer: Impute current income based on what the spouse could earn now
Courts typically impute income based on current earning capacity, considering the gap in employment and any skills erosion.
Which of the following would most likely cause a court to deny alimony to an otherwise eligible spouse?
Answer: The requesting spouse has sufficient income and assets to meet their needs
If the requesting spouse can already meet their reasonable financial needs, there is no legal basis for an alimony award.
A CDA is advising on a divorce where one spouse is a business owner. Which concern is most important when calculating that spouse's income for alimony purposes?
Answer: Whether business income is accurately reported or potentially understated
Business owners may minimize reported personal income through business expenses, making it critical to analyze actual cash flow and perks.
Alimony payments secured by a life insurance policy primarily protect the:
Answer: Recipient spouse if the payer dies during the support period
Requiring the payer to maintain life insurance ensures the recipient continues receiving support even if the payer dies unexpectedly.
Which alimony calculation approach considers a 'to' and 'from' income level for each spouse to determine a target amount?
Answer: The equalization method
The equalization method aims to balance both spouses' post-divorce income by splitting the gap between their respective incomes.