In Ohio, eligibility for spousal support is determined by various factors, including the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, age, physical and emotional health, and financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage.
Courts may award spousal support to either spouse upon the request of either party in an action for divorce or legal separation. R.C. 3105.18 outlines the factors which a court considers to determine the appropriateness, amount, and length of time an award is made.
There is no specific formula in Ohio for calculating temporary support awards. The court must use its discretion, taking into account each spouse's earning capacity and other resources while the divorce is pending. The court should strive to maintain the financial status quo despite title or ownership.
Unlike child support, which is calculated using a strict formula, Ohio doesn't have a formula for calculating spousal support or even determining who's entitled to receive it.
Typically, the judge will take 20% of the lower-earning spouse's income and subtract that number from 30% of the higher-earning spouse's income. For example, one spouse makes $100,000, and the other makes $20,000. Thirty percent of $100,000 is $30,000, and 20% of $20,000 is $4,000.
As such, the non-working spouse may be entitled to a share of retirement benefits, investments accrued during the marriage, and even alimony or spousal support.
There is no specific formula in Ohio for calculating temporary support awards. The court must use its discretion, taking into account each spouse's earning capacity and other resources while the divorce is pending. The court should strive to maintain the financial status quo despite title or ownership.