Alexandra's friend also received alimony, on the theory that the friend raised the kids, gave advice and moral support in the business for 15 years, and sacrificed her ability to get ahead in the job market. View alimony as investment. Bruce thinks of alimony as an investment. He knows that the happier Alexandra is after the divorce, the more likely it is that she will be able to get a good job, and the more likely she will be to remarry and reduce her alimony need. Leave remarriage open.
Many settlements specify that alimony terminates when the recipient remarries.
Bruce and Alexandra specify instead that the settlement will be renegotiated at that time. Bruce certainly wants to be relieved of the obligation to pay alimony upon remarriage. But he knows that if he specifies that now, it might discourage Alexandra from thinking about remarrying. And when the actual situation presents itself, they can try to work out something fair at that time. Maybe the new husband will be able to support them, and maybe not.