What Is Alimony or Maintenance?

Alimony or spousal maintenance is a court-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to another following separation or divorce. Its primary purpose is to:

• Support a financially dependent spouse
• Ensure a fair standard of living post-separation
• Address disparities in income and earning capacity
• Provide temporary or long-term support depending on the circumstances

Alimony is separate from child support, though both may be awarded concurrently in a divorce proceeding.

Types of Alimony

Understanding the different types of alimony is essential for both payers and recipients. Courts may award one or a combination of the following:

1. Temporary Alimony (Pendente Lite)

• Paid while the divorce or separation proceedings are ongoing
• Covers legal expenses, housing, and daily needs
• Ends when the final judgment is issued

2. Rehabilitative Alimony

• Designed to help the recipient become financially independent
• Often tied to a timeframe needed to pursue education or gain employment
• Most common type of alimony awarded in modern cases

3. Permanent Alimony

• Typically awarded after long-term marriages
• Provided when the recipient cannot reasonably become self-supporting due to age, illness, or other circumstances
• May continue until death or remarriage of the receiving spouse

4. Reimbursement Alimony

• Granted when one spouse financially supports the other’s education or career advancement
• Compensates for financial sacrifices made during the marriage

5. Lump-Sum Alimony

• One-time payment instead of ongoing monthly support
• May be agreed upon in settlements to avoid long-term entanglement

Factors Affecting Alimony Awards

Alimony is not automatic. Courts evaluate several factors when determining if alimony should be awarded, how much should be paid, and for how long:

• Length of the marriage
• Standard of living during the marriage
• Age and physical/emotional condition of each spouse
• Income and financial resources of each party
• Earning capacity, education, and employability
• Contributions to the marriage (homemaking, childcare, career support)
• Parental responsibilities (especially for minor children)
• Any agreements or prenuptial arrangements
• Fault or misconduct (in jurisdictions where it is relevant)

Modifying or Terminating Alimony

Life is unpredictable, and your financial circumstances may change. You may be eligible to modify or terminate an existing alimony order if:

• You lose your job or suffer a substantial income reduction
• Your former spouse remarries or cohabits with a new partner
• There is a change in health status
• The recipient becomes self-sufficient

Alimony Enforcement Services

If your ex-spouse fails to pay court-ordered alimony, you have the legal right to enforce the order through:

• Wage garnishment
• Bank levies
• Property liens
• Contempt of court charges
• Legal penalties, including imprisonment in some jurisdictions