Understanding Different Types of Alimony

If you are planning on divorcing your spouse, you might be able to receive alimony. Some individuals mistake alimony as money that a family court awards a spouse as punishment. Alimony should be viewed as court-ordered spousal support. This means that infidelity or abuse does not have to occur for a spouse to be awarded alimony.

Another misconception is that alimony is based on gender. A husband or wife may be ordered to pay alimony. Alimony can be awarded to a working spouse. A family court judge will consider their income when deciding on an alimony amount. Claimant refers to the spouse seeking alimony.

The following points distinguish different types of alimony.

Permanent Alimony 

This type of alimony can be viewed as a permanent order for the claimant to receive support payments. The order does not expire unless one of the spouses passes away. If the claimant decides to remarry, it will also end the order of permanent alimony. Permanent alimony is often awarded when there are circumstances that will make it impossible for the claimant to continue to maintain their existing lifestyle. The breadwinner will be ordered to pay to maintain the lifestyle that the claimant has gotten accustomed to. This is a type of order that may occur among wealthy individuals. 

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony

Sometimes a claimant may need a short period of time to get their life on track. This might occur if one spouse relocated for the sake of getting married. Perhaps they might leave their job and all of their resources to relocate. The court might award this type of alimony as a short-term arrangement. 

Rehabilitative Alimony

In some marriages, a spouse may forego working, advancing their education, or gaining new skills. They may make the sacrifice so that the other spouse can pursue their career or education. A family court may award this type of alimony to a claimant to allow them to pursue an education, get new skills, or find employment. 

Durational Alimony

This type of alimony has a duration that is set by the court. The claimant will know in advance how long they can expect to receive the alimony. Time frames vary and are dependent upon each couple's unique circumstances.

A divorce lawyer is a good resource to use to understand more about alimony. It is important to note that court-ordered alimony is legally binding. If a spouse misses a payment or refuses to pay alimony, they can be held in contempt of court. It is possible to receive child support and alimony if there are minor children involved.