Alimony—or spousal support—can be a significant factor in divorce. Learn when it applies, how amounts are determined, and what your rights are.
Expert information to help you understand your rights and options
Alimony provides financial support to a lower-earning spouse after divorce, helping maintain living standards and transition to independence. Whether you receive or pay alimony depends on multiple factors. Learn how alimony works, eligibility, and what affects amounts.
Courts consider many factors when calculating alimony—marriage length, income disparity, earning capacity, standard of living, age, health, and contributions to the marriage. Understanding these factors helps predict and argue for appropriate support. Learn what affects alimony awards.
Tax treatment of alimony has changed significantly—post-2018 agreements no longer allow payers to deduct alimony or require recipients to report it as income. Understanding tax implications affects negotiations. Learn about alimony taxation and planning considerations.
Alimony can be modified when circumstances substantially change—income changes, remarriage, cohabitation, or retirement. Some alimony types are modifiable while others are fixed. Learn about alimony modification, requirements, and the process.
Different alimony types serve different purposes—temporary support during divorce, rehabilitative support during career development, permanent support for long marriages, and lump sum settlements. Learn about alimony types and which may apply to your situation.