Types of Alimony

Alimony can be structured in several different ways. The courts realize that each party’s financial circumstances may be different: One spouse may be between jobs, the other may be finishing up a degree, there may be significant assets from a previous marriage, the marriage was long term, or a spouse may no longer be able to work.

Our attorneys will help you determine which form of alimony is best for you. In general, the types of spousal support are as follows.

Permanent

This includes regular, ongoing payments made to one spouse. This type of alimony is the most common and usually terminates when the spouse receiving support remarries. Depending on the situation, the court may order payments to last indefinitely, but this is rare.

Lump-Sum

The court may accept a one-time payment from one party to the other. This completes the financial obligations of the supporter and does not include a contingency for remarriage of the other spouse.

Temporary

Temporary alimony, also called pendente lite, is payment ordered by the court, usually to address the financial disadvantage of one of the parties during divorce proceedings. It is terminated once the judge finalizes the divorce decree.

Another form of temporary alimony is often called rehabilitative alimony. In this case, the court will recognize the needs of one spouse, setting limits on support for a specific period of time or until a specific achievement is made, such as completing education or finding a job.

At Boyd Collar Nolen Tuggle & Roddenbery, our insight and years of experience will help you determine the best alimony plan for your situation. We also help clients take measure of the court’s likely decision and help guide their approach accordingly. We understand the changes divorce will bring and can help you adequately plan for your future.