Alimony, which is a form of spousal support, is money that one spouse may have to pay the other when they divorce. This is to help the lower-income spouse maintain financial stability, which is often necessary if there was a big difference in income during the marriage.
Alimony isn’t automatic. It depends on a host of factors, including the length of the marriage, the income of each spouse, their earning ability and the standard of living present during the marriage.
Understanding the different types of alimony may help individuals in this position to determine if it may apply in their case.
Temporary alimony
Temporary alimony is typically used while the divorce is pending. It’s sometimes called pendente lite support and is meant to help cover things like legal fees and living expenses during the divorce. Once the divorce is finalized, this type of alimony will usually end, but it might transition into another form of support.
Rehabilitative alimony
Rehabilitative alimony is meant to help one spouse become self-supportive. It may cover things like job training or the expenses to start a new career. In some cases, it might be used to cover the cost of school. This type of alimony usually has a specific time limit, and the recipient may have to show the court progress being made toward financial independence.
Permanent alimony
Despite its name, permanent alimony doesn’t always last forever. It’s more common after long marriages, especially when one spouse may never be able to earn enough to maintain a similar standard of living. Permanent alimony can continue until the receiving spouse remarries, either spouse passes away or a court decides it should end due to significant changes in circumstances.
In some cases, alimony can be paid as one lump sum instead of periodic payments. This may be a preferable option if the paying party has the ability to handle it in this manner. Because the alimony payment order is a major factor in some divorces, anyone who feels it may be an issue in their case should work with someone who’s familiar with alimony and how it may apply to their divorce.