The length of time that one spouse need to pay alimony, also known as maintenance or spousal support, varies depending on the particular circumstances and needs of the parties. In some cases, a spouse may receive a pendente lite award which is temporary maintenance awarded to one spouse for the duration of the divorce. A pendente lite award is based on immediate financial need of the spouse and ends once a final order of maintenance is made by the judge or when the parties enter into a final stipulation of settlement. The amount of time a spouse is required to pay maintenance after a divorce depends on the parties’ agreement or the judge’s ruling if a trial is held on the issue. Usually, a spouse is required to pay the other spouse for a certain number of years which is usually a time period equal to one third of the length of the parties marriage. Limitations may be set on spousal maintenance where maintenance will terminate if your ex-spouse remarries or lives with a person of the opposite sex with the intent of marrying him or her. In rare cases, a spouse may be ordered to pay lifetime maintenance which will only terminate upon the death of either party.