Spousal support laws can vary greatly between states
And, just as nearly half of individuals will eventually move out of their state of birth, most will at some point get married. But, if a couple married in one state decides to divorce in another, getting a divorce in their new state could have significant consequences that they may not have experienced in the state in which they got married. This is especially true when it comes to spousal support.
Oklahoma Spousal support laws
This is because spousal support guidelines can vary drastically from state to state, or even from county to county. The situation becomes even murkier in states such as Oklahoma without formal calculation formulas (which only a few states have), in which the guidelines will be determined by the judge based on a variety of factors and will often simply be based on the informal guidelines followed by other judges in the area. This can make awards of alimony very subjective.
Take the example of a couple who finds they have grown apart after their children have left the nest and made the decision to divorce. Say also that the couple was married in state A, but now live (and are getting divorced) in state B. State A’s divorce guidelines regarding spousal support may give more consideration to the length of the marriage and the financial circumstances of each party, and provide the less-monied spouse with a higher amount of spousal support than that which would be awarded in state B based on state B’s guidelines.
This may not seem fair to some people. That is why some people are advocating for a national divorce law, which may aim to make the divorce guidelines fair and consistent across the country. Oklahomans concerned about the state’s alimony guidelines may want to do what is necessary to educate themselves upon the subject.
