Defined duration – Generally speaking, except in very long marriages, Virginia lawyers tend to view spousal support as rehabilitative to support the dependent spouse until she or he is able to receive income to cover his or her expenses independently. The court can make this support award as a defined duration or in a lump sum amount, or both. Permanent alimony – When the parties have been married for such a length of time and one spouse has forgone a career in favor of caring for the family, such that rehabilitative alimony for a defined duration would not be equitable, and it may award permanent alimony, which is payable until death, remarriage, or statutory cohabitation.