Alimony is a payment arrangement between former spouses in a divorce settlement It is typically paid by the financially capable spouse to the economically dependent one. Its purpose is to provide financial stability for the receiving spouse following the divorce. Alimony is sometimes referred to as spousal support or spousal maintenance.
Alimony is awarded on a case-by-case basis and is determined by a judge. It is typically awarded for a temporarily limited period of time. Consequently, the paying spouse will be responsible for providing the receiving spouse with sufficient financial stability during the set period of time. The factors that a judge will consider when awarding alimony are the length of the marriage, each party's earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, and the contributions each spouse made to the marriage.
Here are five examples of alimony awarded by a court:
1. In 2017, a court in California awarded a former wife $54,000 per month in alimony for six years. The court determined that the former husband had significantly greater financial resources and should thus assist the former wife in transitioning to her new financial situation.
2. In 2016, a court in Pennsylvania awarded a former husband $32,000 per month in alimony. The court determined that the former wife had higher-earning potential and was in a better financial situation than the former husband.
3. In 2018, a court in Massachusetts awarded a former wife $25,000 per month in alimony for six years. The court determined that the former husband had a higher income and could afford to cover the cost of the alimony.
4. In 2019, a court in New Jersey awarded a former wife $40,000 per month in alimony for three years. The court determined that the former husband had a higher income and should contribute to the former wife's expenses.
5. In 2020, a court in Arizona awarded a former wife $30,000 per month in alimony for two years. The court determined that the former husband had a higher income and more assets than the former wife and should be partly responsible for her expenses.