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Saint Charles Spousal Maintenance Lawyers: Securing Financial Support After Divorce

Last updated on October 14, 2025

Going through a divorce is one of the most emotional and difficult transitions anyone could ever face. It is especially upsetting to worry about money and unknown financial obligations. Our experienced family law attorneys at The Law Office of Baerveldt & Boedefeld, LLC, help people in Saint Charles resolve the financial uncertainties that come with divorce.

When it comes to spousal maintenance, we will provide straightforward advice and customized guidance based on the facts and circumstances of your case. We provide authentic answers to your questions and will advocate on your behalf for fair resolutions to the financial uncertainties in your divorce.

How Is Spousal Maintenance Decided In Missouri?

In Missouri, a spouse who is asking for spousal maintenance, sometimes called alimony, must show that they lack the assets they need to meet their own needs. Some of the other factors the court will consider include:

  • The length of the couple’s marriage
  • The standard of living the couple enjoyed while they were together
  • The ability of each spouse to earn a living
  • The ability of the spouse who has to pay to meet their own needs while providing support

Our experienced divorce lawyers at The Law Office of Baerveldt & Boedefeld, LLC, can help you better understand if your situation qualifies for spousal support. In Missouri, the court has a lot of discretion when deciding to award spousal maintenance.

What Happens If Support Isn’t Paid?

If your former spouse fails to pay court-ordered spousal maintenance, the consequences can be serious. Unpaid maintenance immediately becomes a debt, and you can take legal action to enforce the order. You can ask the court to hold the nonpaying spouse in contempt of court, which can lead to fines or even jail time in extreme cases.

More commonly, we help clients request a wage garnishment, where the funds are automatically taken from the paying spouse’s paycheck. Other methods include placing liens on their property or bank accounts. You should never ignore nonpayment. An experienced Saint Charles spousal maintenance attorney can help you enforce the order and collect the financial support you are due.

Can Spousal Support Be Modified?

A court can modify a spousal maintenance order in Missouri, but only if you can prove that a significant and continuing change in circumstances has happened since the original divorce was finalized. This change must make the terms of the original order unreasonable. Examples of a substantial change include:

  • The paying spouse loses a job or becomes disabled
  • The receiving spouse gets a significant increase in income
  • The receiving spouse receives an inheritance

Maintenance payments automatically end if the receiving party remarries, unless the original agreement stated otherwise. If your financial situation has drastically changed, our family law attorneys can help you better understand if you qualify for a change in financial support.

Consult A Saint Charles Spousal Maintenance Attorney For Free

At The Law Office of Baerveldt & Boedefeld, LLC, we offer a free initial consultation. If you have questions about your financial support requirements or spousal maintenance, we want to answer your questions and help you understand your options. To schedule your complimentary 30-minute appointment, give us a call at 636-260-2515. You can also send us a message through our website.

For your convenience, we offer flexible evening and weekend appointments. We also accept credit cards and can also provide a Spanish interpreter if necessary.