Certification of Unemployment

A Certification of Unemployment provides information about a party’s current unemployment status and efforts to find employment in an alimony case. The certification includes details about the party’s last employment, the reason for their unemployment, and their efforts to find new employment, such as job search activities, applications submitted, and any job training or education pursued. The purpose of the certification is to support a request for alimony based on the party’s lack of income and need for financial support, or to oppose a request for alimony based on the other party’s unemployment and earning capacity. The court may consider the information provided in the certification when determining the appropriate amount and duration of alimony, taking into account factors such as the length of the party’s unemployment, their skills and experience, and the current job market. If the court finds that the party has not made a reasonable effort to find employment, it may impute income to them based on their earning capacity and adjust the alimony award accordingly.