What are the different types of alimony?

There are five types of alimony: temporary alimony, rehabilitative alimony, permanent alimony, reimbursement alimony, and lump-sum alimony. The type you are awarded (or have to pay to your former spouse) depends on your situation. Alimony can also be reduced or increased as the income of either party fluctuates.

Here are the five different types of alimony and what each could mean for you:

1. Temporary alimony. Also referred to as alimony pendente lite (pending the suit), temporary alimony is financial support that can be ordered when spouses have been separated for some time pending their legal divorce. This could be awarded to the spouse who cannot meet their financial needs and cannot find work due to being dependent on the other for so long. The support would begin at filing and only last until the divorce proceedings are over.
2. Rehabilitative alimony. This support can be awarded to the lesser-earning spouse until they can become self-sufficient. A judge can consider this type of support when one spouse is attending school or taking courses to market themselves for work better. The length varies from case to case but is usually fixed (if work is not found, support still ends). The rehabilitative alimony can be revoked if the receiving spouse is not actively trying to find a job.
3. Permanent alimony. Permanent alimony is financial support paid to the ex-spouse who earns less money (or no money) and cannot fully support themselves. It would be delivered until the paying spouse passes away or the receiving spouse gets remarried. A court only considers permanent alimony when a couple has been together for ten years or more, and one partner has been out of the workforce for so long that the chances of being hired are meager. Note that permanent alimony is prohibited in most states.
4. Reimbursement alimony. If one spouse has taken on specific expenses for the other, they could be eligible for reimbursement. Suppose you support your partner financially while in a training program or taking college courses full-time, and they file for divorce not long after completing their studies. In that case, a judge could determine you are entitled to be reimbursed for your sacrifice.
5. Lump-sum alimony. Also referred to as alimony in gross or an alimony buyout, lump-sum alimony will be administered as one single payment. This type of support is awarded in place of a property settlement. After the receiving spouse obtains the funds, the paying spouse will no longer have any financial obligation unless the judge has ordered them to make child support payments.

As you can see, there are many different alimony types (some aren’t applicable in every state). However, alimony is not relevant in every divorce. This is especially true if both parties can support themselves financially and maintain the same standard of living as a married couple.