You must clearly understand that after your divorce, you and your spouse will not have as high a standard of living as you each had while married, especially if you are both employed at vastly different incomes. However, the courts long ago stated, "The Duchess should not be required to live on the wages of the scullery maid" after a divorce. Casper v. Casper, 510 S.W.2d 253 (1974 Ky.)

What was the standard of living established during your marriage? "Standard of living" is basically a function of income and spending and a picture of how you lived. Your attorney must therefore first know how much money you both brought in each year and how much you spent. Again, be accurate.

Different Types of Maintenance

There are several kinds of maintenance which the courts may award to a disadvantaged spouse (usually the wife):

Temporary Maintenance

Temporary maintenance, or "pendente lite" maintenance, as the court calls it, is money paid while your case is pending. You and your spouse can decide how much that will be, or, if no agreement can be met, the court will decide at a hearing before a domestic relations commissioner. By definition, this type of maintenance ends when the divorce becomes final or sooner in rare circumstances.

It is important that your list of expenses be as complete as possible at your temporary maintenance hearing. During your trial, the court will use that list of expenses, among other factors, in determining whether permanent or rehabilitative maintenance is appropriate.

It is difficult to convince the court that your expenses are different (either less or greater) than those you listed for your temporary maintenance hearing.

Rehabilitative Maintenance

Rehabilitative maintenance is money paid by one spouse to the other, usually in a relatively short-term marriage. This is paid with the specific purpose to help the financially disadvantaged spouse get the training necessary to support himself or herself. It is usually paid for a short period of time, generally a few years and no more than five years.

Rehabilitative maintenance is often used to finish a college degree or gain specialized training in order to assist the disadvantaged spouse in becoming self-sufficient.

Permanent Maintenance

Permanent maintenance is just what it sounds like. It is maintenance paid by one spouse to the other for life. In this day and age, it is the exception rather than the rule.

Most lawyers agree that they rarely see permanent maintenance paid in a marriage of fewer than ten years unless some medical problem exists. Length of marriage, age and relative earning capacities are critical factors in analyzing permanent maintenance claims.

Open-Ended versus Closed-Ended Maintenance

One dimension to maintenance is whether it is open- or closed-ended. Open-ended maintenance can be modified by the court. A change in circumstances of either party can alter the original maintenance decision. However, the change usually must be more than just a temporary one. Close-ended maintenance, on the other hand, is a "lump sum" maintenance that is not modifiable. Even if the sum is paid over a series of years, the amount and length of it is fixed. The obligation to pay it as well as the right to receive it does not end until the final payment.

Fault and Your Award

Though this is a "no-fault" state, Kentucky has a confusing and important exception to the general concept of "no fault" in dissolution. If you are seeking maintenance, your fault (i.e., adultery, drunkenness or other egregious misconduct) may well be used against you. Only the fault of the party seeking maintenance will be considered. The fault of the party against whom maintenance is sought, on the other hand, will generally not be considered.

Your "fault" will not be considered in determining whether or not you are entitled to maintenance, but it could result in a substantial reduction of your award. Be very careful and seek competent legal counsel if this troublesome matter concerns you.

Special Needs

All of these special needs are expensive and many can be included in the calculation of maintenance:

• Do you have a serious medical condition or allergies which require on-going medical treatment?
• Are you learning disabled?
• Are you disabled in any other way?
• Are you receiving therapy, counseling or psychological care?
• Are you continuing your education?
• Are you a displaced homemaker?
• Will you require vocational rehabilitation before you can enter today's marketplace?

Medical Records

It is possible that your attorney will need to obtain a copy of your medical records from your doctor, psychologist, therapist or other provider to prove your claim for maintenance. A standard records request form is included in your Organizer.

Important Reasons to Demand Maintenance

• Disparity of income and length of marriage require rehabilitation money to the disadvantaged spouse.
• Special circumstances during the marriage require maintenance.
• Physical, mental or emotional disabilities require maintenance.