Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is a critical aspect of divorce proceedings that aims to provide financial support to a spouse who may be economically disadvantaged or unable to support themselves following the dissolution of the marriage.
In Kentucky, spousal maintenance is governed by the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 403.200. This statute outlines the factors that the court considers when determining whether to award spousal maintenance and the amount and duration of such maintenance. Spousal maintenance in Kentucky can be categorized into three main types: temporary maintenance, rehabilitative maintenance, and permanent maintenance. Let's explore each type in detail:

1. Temporary Maintenance: Temporary maintenance is awarded during the pendency of the divorce proceedings to provide financial support to the dependent spouse. It is intended to cover the period until a final determination is made regarding the division of marital assets and the award of permanent maintenance, if applicable. The court considers factors such as the financial needs of the dependent spouse, the ability of the supporting spouse to pay, and the standard of living established during the marriage.

2. Rehabilitative Maintenance: Rehabilitative maintenance is awarded to assist the dependent spouse in acquiring education, training, or employment skills necessary to become self-supporting. The court may consider factors such as the length of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the time and cost required for the dependent spouse to become self-supporting. The goal of rehabilitative maintenance is to enable the dependent spouse to achieve financial independence within a reasonable period.

3. Permanent Maintenance: Permanent maintenance is awarded when the court determines that the dependent spouse is unable to achieve self-supporting status due to age, disability, or other factors. It is typically awarded in long-term marriages where the dependent spouse is unlikely to become self-supporting. The court considers factors such as the duration of the marriage, the financial resources of each spouse, the standard of living during the marriage, and the earning capacity and needs of the dependent spouse.

To receive spousal maintenance in Kentucky, certain elements must be proven in court. These elements include:

1. Need: The dependent spouse must demonstrate a financial need for spousal maintenance. This can be established by showing an inability to meet reasonable living expenses or maintain a standard of living similar to that enjoyed during the marriage.

2. Ability to Pay: The supporting spouse must have the financial ability to pay spousal maintenance. The court will consider the supporting spouse's income, assets, and earning capacity in determining their ability to provide financial support.

3. Factors Considered: The court will consider various factors outlined in KRS 403.200 to determine the amount and duration of spousal maintenance. These factors include the duration of the marriage, the financial resources of each spouse, the standard of living during the marriage, the age and health of the parties, and the contributions of each spouse to the marriage.

It is important to note that spousal maintenance awards in Kentucky are not automatic and are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is a financial support that one spouse may be required to pay to the other during or after a divorce. The purpose of spousal maintenance is to limit any unfair economic effects of a divorce by providing a continuing income to a non-wage-earning or lower-wage-earning spouse.

The case of Leitsch v. Leitsch is significant because it established that the court must consider the financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including the marital property apportioned to him or her, and his or her ability to meet his or her needs independently. The court must also consider the time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment.

On the other hand, Atwood v. Atwood is significant because it established that the court must consider the duration of the marriage when determining spousal maintenance. The longer the marriage, the more likely it is that the court will award maintenance, especially if one spouse has been out of the workforce for a significant period.

Both cases highlight the fact that the determination of spousal maintenance is a complex process that involves the consideration of multiple factors. These factors include the financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, the time necessary for the party seeking maintenance to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment, and the duration of the marriage.