Alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance that one spouse may be required to pay to the other after divorce or separation. The goal is to provide financial stability based on the circumstances of both parties. There are several types of alimony, including:
1. Permanent Alimony
- Definition: A long-term or lifelong financial support paid by one spouse to the other.
- When It’s Awarded: Typically granted in long marriages where one spouse is financially dependent on the other.
- Modification/Termination: Can usually be modified if circumstances change, such as the recipient remarrying or the payer experiencing financial hardship.
2. Temporary Alimony (Pendente Lite)
- Definition: Short-term financial support awarded during divorce proceedings to help the lower-earning spouse maintain their lifestyle until the divorce is finalized.
- When It’s Awarded: Provided when one spouse needs financial assistance before a final divorce settlement is reached.
- Modification/Termination: Ends when the divorce is finalized and may be replaced with another type of alimony.
3. Rehabilitative Alimony
- Definition: Financial support designed to help the receiving spouse become self-sufficient through education, training, or job opportunities.
- When It’s Awarded: Typically granted when one spouse sacrificed their career for the marriage and needs financial help to re-enter the workforce.
- Modification/Termination: Often time-limited and subject to review, ending when the recipient becomes financially independent.
Other forms of alimony include reimbursement alimony (to compensate a spouse for contributions to the other’s education or career) and lump-sum alimony (a one-time payment instead of ongoing support).
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