Alimony & Spousal Support

Alimony Reduced by the Amount of Paramour’s Contributions

In the family law, alimony reduction case of Thul vs. Thul, 20-2-2987, the appellate panel found that the lower court judge correctly found that wife’s cohabitation was clearly a change in circumstances under Lepis and that the cohabitation alimony reduced the wife’s financial needs since her paramour contributed $500 per month to her support and thus that she had the burden to show that she was still dependent on defendant’s support. After finding a material economic consequence stemming from the cohabitation, the judge appropriately focused on what reduction of defendant’s support obligation was warranted and his conclusion, that cessation of alimony was not warranted because plaintiff demonstrated an ongoing financial need but that the alimony should be reduced by the amount of the paramour’s contribution, was reasonable and supported by the record and warrants appellate deference.

Reference: Case & Analysis, New Jersey Law Journal, 215 N.J.L.J. 701 (March 10, 2014)

Filed Under: Family Law; Alimony Reduction: Change in Circumstances

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