If you are paying alimony to an ex-spouse in New Jersey, you may wonder when you will be allowed to stop paying. In some cases, the court order for payment may stipulate the ending date. However, sometimes it may not. There are specific circumstances under the law that stipulate how long you must pay alimony and what circumstances could lead to an order to stop alimony.
The Official Website for the State of New Jersey explains courts can only order that you pay alimony for as long as the number of years you were married. For example, if you were married for 17 years, then you will only pay alimony for up to 17 years. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. The court may order a longer period of payment based on factors such as how evenly the estate was split, the health of your spouse, the ages you were when you got married and tax considerations.
The court may also adjust alimony or end it if your spouse gets a new job that makes a major change in his or her income. In addition, once you reach full retirement age, the court may rule you no longer have to make payments.
Finally, if your ex-spouse enters into a serious relationship where it is considered marital in nature, you may be able to get the court to end your payments. They do not have to live together. It only must be proven the relationship is serious enough to be similar to a marriage. This information is for education and is not legal advice.