What happens next?

How to determine alimony
Understand what alimony is.
Alimony, also called separate maintenance or spousal support, is money paid during a divorce or legal separation outside of the property settlement. The payments, either periodic or in a lump sum, are paid to the dependent spouse from the supporting spouse.
Alimony varies by state, but falls into some general categories. Rehabilitative alimony is intended to help a spouse get established.