What is alimony?

Sometimes referred to as spousal support or spousal maintenance, depending on where you live, alimony is financial support one spouse receives for a specific time after a divorce. Although it is more common for wives to be awarded alimony payments (women make less on average), husbands can also receive them.

The purpose of alimony is to provide the lesser-earning spouse with financial support deemed “reasonable and necessary” based on their situation post-divorce. A spouse can request alimony starting at filing and anytime during the divorce proceedings.