While you usually associate alimony with divorce, there are scenarios where you could receive alimony while still married.
A court may award alimony during a legal separation. Many states require couples who intend to divorce to separate for a time or to have a cooling-off period before initiating divorce proceedings.
The required separation period in some states can last a year or more. These lengthy separation periods may make it difficult for a lower-earning spouse to meet their financial needs without spousal support.
It's possible to receive alimony during a marriage if one spouse has left or refuses to support the other. You can file a claim for spousal support under state laws in such cases. Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute explains that abandonment in matrimonial law refers to marital misconduct involving one spouse bringing the cohabitation to an end without justification, without consent, and without the intention of renewing the marital relationship.
In all cases, the ability to obtain alimony while still married depends on the state laws where the couple resides, as well as factors including the financial position of each spouse and the circumstances that necessitate the need for support.
Child support is separate from alimony, and whether a spouse pays child support has no bearing on any spousal support order. In many states, if a spouse has a domestic violence conviction, they may not receive spousal support from their victim.