Spousal Support

It is normal that maintaining two households and all the expenses that go along with it will strain budgets accustomed to supporting just one household.  Louisiana law, however, entitles divorcing spouses to maintain the same standard of living that they enjoyed while living together so long as the other side has the ability to make this possible.  (Incidentally, this is the case regardless of who was at fault for the breakup of the marriage.)  This maintenance standard includes life’s luxuries, so long as they were part of your previous lifestyle and the other side has the resources to help you pay for them.

If you are not at a fault for the breakup of the marriage, in need of support for the necessities of your life, and the other side has the ability to contribute to your support, then you are likely entitled to final spousal support.  Final spousal support is far more restrictive than interim support, but the advantage is that it is possible to receive this for the rest of your life as long as you do not remarry (or the court determines that your are cohabiting in the manner of married persons).  Final spousal support essentially, however, will allow you just to pay your bills.