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Bergen County Alimony Lawyers

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance that one spouse may be required to pay the other after a divorce or legal separation. It is intended to help the supported spouse maintain a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage. If you are facing divorce and need to protect your financial rights, the Bergen County alimony lawyers at Marotta Blazini Dunleavy LLC are here to help.

What Are the Different Types of Alimony in Bergen County, New Jersey?

New Jersey courts may award different types of alimony depending on the circumstances of the marriage and divorce:

  • Open Durational Alimony: Typically applies to marriages lasting 20 years or longer. Payments continue indefinitely but may be modified or terminated based on retirement, significant changes in circumstances, or a court order.
  • Limited Duration Alimony: Awarded in shorter marriages (under 20 years). Payments last for a fixed period, generally not exceeding the length of the marriage.
  • Rehabilitative Alimony: Provides support for a spouse seeking to gain financial independence through education, training, or career development.
  • Reimbursement Alimony: Compensates a spouse who supported the other through advanced education or career advancement during the marriage.
  • Temporary Alimony (Pendente Lite): Awarded during divorce proceedings to maintain financial stability until the court issues a final alimony order.
Infographic showing the types of alimony in New Jersey.

How Courts Determine Alimony

Unlike child support, New Jersey does not use a strict formula to calculate alimony. Instead, judges weigh multiple statutory factors, such as:

  • Length of the marriage.
  • The standard of living established during the marriage.
  • Each spouse’s age, health, and earning capacity.
  • Contributions to the marriage, including homemaking and childcare.
  • Parenting responsibilities.
  • Each spouse’s income, assets, and financial needs.


The goal is to reach an equitable outcome tailored to the spouses’ unique situation.

Temporary Alimony During Divorce

“Pendente lite” support, or temporary alimony, is designed to preserve the marital lifestyle during divorce proceedings. For example, if one spouse was financially dependent as a stay-at-home parent, temporary alimony ensures they can continue paying for housing, food, and other essentials until the divorce is finalized.

Can Alimony Be Modified or Terminated?

Yes. Courts allow alimony modifications if either spouse proves a substantial, permanent change in circumstances—for example, job loss, disability, or retirement. Alimony also ends if either spouse dies or if the recipient remarries. Cohabitation with a new partner may also justify reducing or ending alimony.

Other Factors Courts Consider

Judges may also review:

  • Division of marital property and debts.
  • Tax consequences of alimony.
  • The recipient’s ability to achieve financial independence.
  • Any history of domestic violence or financial misconduct.


While New Jersey is a no-fault divorce state, economic misconduct can impact alimony. Dissipation of assets, financial abuse, or hiding income may lead to an adjustment in the support award.

Enforcement of Alimony in Bergen County

When a spouse fails to pay court-ordered alimony, the recipient may petition the court for enforcement. Remedies include:

  • Wage garnishment through income withholding orders.
  • Seizure of bank accounts or assets.
  • Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses.
  • Bench warrants in extreme cases.


Tax Implications of Alimony

Federal tax law changed in 2019:

  • For divorce agreements finalized after January 1, 2019: Alimony is not tax-deductible for the paying spouse, and it is not taxable income for the recipient.
  • For agreements finalized before 2019: The old rules may still apply unless the parties modified their agreement to adopt the new law.

Protect Your Financial Future: Contact Our Bergen County Alimony Lawyers at Marotta Blazini Dunleavy LLC

At Marotta Blazini Dunleavy LLC, our experienced Bergen County alimony lawyers have decades of experience guiding clients through divorce and alimony disputes. We provide skilled representation in matters involving alimony, divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, mediation, and more. Call us today at 201-368-7713 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. From our office in Maywood, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients throughout Bergen County and the surrounding communities.

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