Pennsylvania Alimony and Support FAQ's

ALIMONY

1) How is alimony determined?
Alimony is generally not permanently awarded in Pennsylvania. However, a permanent award may be entered under some circumstances. The purpose of an alimony award is to do economic justice between the parties. The standard of living of the parties during the marriage, their earning capacities, assets, and expenses are important factors in determining an alimony award.

SUPPORT

1) How is an amount of support determined?
Pennsylvania has a set of guidelines which establishes support obligations based upon the parties' incomes and the number and type of dependents. The Court is allowed to deviate from the guideline but must put the reasons in writing. There must be special reasons for a deviation. There are very few "special reasons". The effective date of an order is usually the date of the filing of the support action in Court.

2) When can a support order be changed?
Once an order is entered it can only be changed if there is a substantial change of circumstances in one or both of the parties' income or expenses. If a party violates a Court's support order the party may be jailed for contempt. Support orders may be entered for any family member, including parents under some circumstances.