By The Court Introduction Alimony, now often referred to as spousal support or maintenance and support, consists of periodic payments awarded to a financially dependent spouse when the couple ends their marriage. Historically, alimony was seen as a continuation of a husband's obligation to support his wife but the law now states that alimony may be awarded to either husband or wife, depending on each one's ability to provide for his or her own needs and the ability of the other spouse to provide for them. In reality, it is very rarer that husbands receive alimony awards from their wives. Deciding the amount of alimony to be awarded a spouse can be a frustrating and complex negotiation since the legal rules are general standards that must be applied to the facts of each specific case.
Money often becomes one of the major weapons between spouses who are divorcing.
Determining whether alimony will be awarded, how much, and for how long and then securing an agreement with your spouse can be one of the most problematic and uncertain areas in divorce. Indefinite alimony can be raised or lowered over time if there is a change of circumstances. You must get alimony at the time of divorce, or you are barred from every getting alimony in the future. Additionally they are both responsible for one another's debts. This duty lasts until the final Decree in Divorce is granted.