Your lawyer will help you understand the various types of financial support:
Permanent: Support paid on a regular basis for an indefinite period. It usually terminates upon death of either spouse, the remarriage of the recipient, or cohabitation (living with someone) of the recipient.
Rehabilitative: Support that gives the recipient the resources necessary to develop skills and training that will allow him or her to become financially independent. This could be returning to college or vocational school, or obtaining a license. Usually accompanied by a plan for the recipient to achieve financial independence from the ex-spouse.
Bridge-the-gap: Support that provides immediate funds for the ex-spouse to acclimate to a new life. This may be awarded on a temporary basis (to secure an apartment or car). It may also be an amount paid in one lump sum or over several payments.
Durational: Temporary support that doesn’t fall into the categories of rehabilitative or bridge-the-gap. Its duration cannot exceed the length of the marriage.
Temporary: Support paid during the actual divorce process.