In Nevada, alimony is called “spousal support” as it is in many states, including California. In a high-asset divorce case, if the higher-earning spouse earns significantly more than their husband or wife, it’s common for spousal support to be awarded by the court so the lower-earning or dependent spouse isn’t penniless because of the divorce.
If you were ordered to pay spousal support in your divorce case and now your ex is marrying a millionaire, you may be wondering if your spousal support payments will terminate on the couple’s wedding day, especially if the wedding is scheduled to take place before your spousal support payments are scheduled by the court to terminate.
Terminating Spousal Support in Nevada
Each state handles alimony or spousal support differently. In Nevada, judges have a lot of discretion when it comes to awarding spousal support and ending it. Generally, spousal support in Nevada ends when:
- A specific event takes place, such as the marital residence being sold or when the supported spouse earns a college degree;
- The receiving spouse secures employment;
- Either spouse passes away; OR
- The supported spouse remarries.
In the absence of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement or a court order that says otherwise, spousal support in Nevada terminates when the receiving spouse remarries or when either spouse dies. (Section 125.150(6) of the Nevada Revised Statutes)
If you notice, we didn’t mention anything about marrying a millionaire. That’s because spousal support ends when a receiving spouse remarries regardless of their new spouse’s income bracket.
What About Cohabitation?
Let’s say you were ordered to pay your ex spousal support, but he or she fell in love with a millionaire and moved in with him or her, entering into a supportive relationship. Now that your ex is living “the good life” and not having to want for anything, do you still have to pay spousal support?
In Nevada, cohabitation does not necessarily bar someone from receiving alimony, but if you’re in the middle of a divorce, you do have the option of asking for a cohabitation clause in your divorce agreement. If you went this route, it would use language that says alimony would terminate if your spouse moves in with a romantic partner after the divorce is final.
To further explore your rights and responsibilities under Nevada’s divorce laws, contact Ford & Friedman today.