How to Figure Out Alimony Owed in the State of Ohio
The State of Ohio uses the term “spousal support” to describe alimony. Laws in Ohio require a spouse to support a spouse or ex-spouse on a temporary or permanent basis. Usually, husbands pay alimony in the state, but a wife can as well, depending on factors such as the couple’s financial situation and standard of living during the marriage. Figuring out how much you owe in alimony requires contacting court officials for current payment information. There is no way to know in advance of a court ruling how much you will pay in spousal support. According to Ohio Legal Services, the state does not have established spousal support guidelines. That means it's up to the judge in your case to decide how much you should pay.
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Instructions
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Read court notices about your alimony arrangement, if available. Some people in the state make alimony payments directly to the spouse or ex-spouse, while others make payments to the County Child Support Enforcement Agency. The agency has offices around the state and handles payment arrangements for spousal support in the same manner that it mails out child support checks.
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Call a public library in Ohio. Ask a research assistant for a telephone number for a child support enforcement agency if you make payments through the agency. Obtain the number of a child support agency near you if possible.
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Contact the child support agency, and inform the clerk that you are divorced, owe spousal support and want to know the balance and current payment schedule. Provide the clerk with any identifying information necessary, such as a driver’s license number or Social Security number. Visit a local child support office in person or submit your request in writing if the clerk will not provide the information over the telephone.
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Ask the clerk at the child support agency for contact information for the proper civil court if you make alimony payments directly to a spouse or ex-spouse. Visit or contact the court to gain a copy of your separation agreement or divorce decree. The court will not have a record of payments if you pay directly to your spouse or ex-spouse. However, court records will show how much the court ordered you to pay.
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Check personal records such as bank statements, cancelled checks or receipts from money orders to determine how much you have paid your spouse or ex-spouse. Subtract that total from the amount the court ordered you to pay to figure out how much alimony you still owe. Check with your spouse or ex-spouse to confirm your calculations, or have an attorney make contact with your ex-spouse or her representative.
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