New York, NY family law attorney Lisa Zeiderman talks about how you can avoid paying alimony. There are several ways an individual can avoid paying alimony. She shares that there are several strategies to potentially avoid paying alimony. The most straightforward approach is to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage in which both parties agree to waive alimony. Many people overlook this, but it is one of the most effective ways to address alimony in advance.

If a prenuptial agreement was not executed, a postnuptial agreement during the marriage can achieve the same result, allowing both spouses to waive alimony.

Another practical approach is to encourage a spouse to establish and maintain a full, independent career. When a spouse is financially self-sufficient, they are less likely to rely on alimony in the event of a divorce. Conversely, if a spouse has been out of the workforce for years to manage the household or support the other spouse’s career, alimony may be appropriate. Supporting a spouse’s career development, including training and professional growth, can help reduce or eliminate the likelihood of alimony obligations.