Alimony, Spousal Support and Maintenance

Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is an obligation of financial support paid by one spouse to the other.

There are basically three types of alimony. Permanent or Traditional alimony is an allowance for support and maintenance of a spouse. If permanent alimony is requested, it must be proven that there is a need for support and the other spouse has adequate means and the ability to provide for part or all of the need. Permanent alimony is generally reserved for long-term marriages. Reimbursement alimony is intended for spouses who have supported their partners through years of advanced schooling. Rehabilitative alimony is designed for spouses in shorter marriages who need some assistance reestablishing themselves in the job market and who have a specific vocational plan.

Some of the possible factors that weigh on the amount and length of the support are:

A. Length of marriage
B. Age of the parties at the time of divorce
C. Income of the parties
D. Future financial prospects of the parties
E. Health of the parties

Alimony must be included in the recipient's gross income and can be excluded from the payer's gross income.