Source: https://virginiacourtlawyer.com/tag/virginia-spousal-support
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 05:05:20+00:00

Document:
In Virginia, there are two types of spousal support, pendente lite support and post-divorce spousal support.
An award of Virginia pendente lite spousal support occurs while the divorce proceeding is pending and is designed to assist the recipient to maintain the divorce suit. Pendente lite spousal support can be awarded in Virginia shortly after the filing of the divorce complaint. Many Courts conduct Pendente Lite hearings on Fridays.
The Court’s authority to award temporary spousal support during a Virginia divorce lawsuit is statutory.
Upon entry of the Final Decree of divorce, the court may award spousal support. This award of Virginia spousal support may be permanent, meaning until the death or remarriage of the receiving spouse, or for a defined period of time.
* Such other factors, including the tax consequences to each party , as are necessary to consider the equities between the parties.
As is the case with most Virginia divorce law, the Court’s authority to award spousal support at the conclusion of the Virginia divorce suit is controlled by statute.
§ 20-107.1. Court may decree as to maintenance and support of spouses.
A. Pursuant to any proceeding arising under subsection L of § 16.1-241 or upon the entry of a decree providing (i) for the dissolution of a marriage, (ii) for a divorce, whether from the bond of matrimony or from bed and board, (iii) that neither party is entitled to a divorce, or (iv) for separate maintenance, the court may make such further decree as it shall deem expedient concerning the maintenance and support of the spouses. However, the court shall have no authority to decree maintenance and support payable by the estate of a deceased spouse.
B. Any maintenance and support shall be subject to the provisions of § 20-109, and no permanent maintenance and support shall be awarded from a spouse if there exists in such spouse’s favor a ground of divorce under the provisions of subdivision (1) of § 20-91. However, the court may make such an award notwithstanding the existence of such ground if the court determines from clear and convincing evidence, that a denial of support and maintenance would constitute a manifest injustice, based upon the respective degrees of fault during the marriage and the relative economic circumstances of the parties.
C. The court, in its discretion, may decree that maintenance and support of a spouse be made in periodic payments for a defined duration, or in periodic payments for an undefined duration, or in a lump sum award, or in any combination thereof.
D. In addition to or in lieu of an award pursuant to subsection C, the court may reserve the right of a party to receive support in the future. In any case in which the right to support is so reserved, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the reservation will continue for a period equal to 50 percent of the length of time between the date of the marriage and the date of separation. Once granted, the duration of such a reservation shall not be subject to modification.
F. In contested cases in the circuit courts, any order granting, reserving or denying a request for spousal support shall be accompanied by written findings and conclusions of the court identifying the factors in subsection E which support the court’s order. If the court awards periodic support for a defined duration, such findings shall identify the basis for the nature, amount and duration of the award and, if appropriate, a specification of the events and circumstances reasonably contemplated by the court which support the award.
G. For purposes of this section and § 20-109, “date of separation” means the earliest date at which the parties are physically separated and at least one party intends such separation to be permanent provided the separation is continuous thereafter and “defined duration” means a period of time (i) with a specific beginning and ending date or (ii) specified in relation to the occurrence or cessation of an event or condition other than death or termination pursuant to § 20-110.
6. Notice that in determination of a spousal support obligation, the support obligation as it becomes due and unpaid creates a judgment by operation of law.
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