Bridge the Gap Alimony

 Posted on June 05, 2019 in Family Law

Most divorces take a number of months to finalize—six months to a year is common. During this time, one of the spouses typically moves out of the house, as continuing to live together is too much strain on the couple as well as the children. During this time, temporary orders of custody and support can be provided by the court. One of the most important and useful court orders is temporary alimony, referred to as bridge the gap alimony. This money helps the lower-earning spouse pay bills and expenses during the divorce process.

Bridge the Gap Alimony Can Pay for Rent

If the lower-earning spouse moves out of the home, they either have to rely on family and friends to house them, or they will be forced to rent an apartment or house. The average Hinsdale apartment, which is just 1,100 square feet, comes with a price tag of $1,400 per month in rent. A larger apartment or house can easily double that cost. The median rental cost (including houses) in Hinsdale is $3,500. Bridge the gap spousal support can help the lower earning spouse afford to pay rent for a suitable house or apartment that matches the lifestyle that they have grown accustomed to during the marriage.

Similarly, bridge the gap alimony can be used to pay for the mortgage if the higher-earning spouse does not jointly own the property in which the lower-earning spouse is living. The wealth of each spouse weighs heavily on all alimony decisions. If the higher-earning spouse is much wealthier than the lower-earning spouse, a court may find it reasonable for the higher earning spouse to cover the mortgage during divorce with bridge the gap alimony.

In other circumstances, it may not be feasible for the higher earning spouse to even cover the cost of rent for the lower-earning spouse. Neither the higher nor the lower earning spouse has an obligation to leave the mutual family home, however.

Using Bridge the Gap Alimony for Other Costs of Living

Bridge the gap alimony can be awarded to keep the lower-earning spouse’s living conditions the same as when they were married. This means that bridge the gap alimony may be used for groceries, heating and electrical bills, moving costs, furnishing a new home, gym and club memberships, cost of transportation, clothing, medical care, and more.

Contact a Hinsdale Spousal Support Attorney Today

If you are going through a divorce, bridge the gap alimony can help pay for your living expenses until the divorce is finalized. Call our experienced DuPage County spousal support attorneys at the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio to get started today. You can reach us at 630-920-8855 to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.rentcafe.com/average-rent-market-trends/us/il/hinsdale/