Reimbursement spousal maintenance is a form of support awarded by the courts to a spouse who has helped their partner attain higher education or improve their earning capacity during the marriage. This type of support does not depend on either party’s financial need, but rather compensates for any lost opportunity costs that may have been incurred as a result of one spouse having to take a lesser job to help support the family while the other pursued more lucrative training or career advancement. In essence, it is a way of rewarding contributions and making up for any loss of earnings that were sacrificed due to marriage obligations.