Alimony is a series of payments from one spouse to the other as a consequence of a divorce. The payment can also be a lump sum payment or a payment to a third party on behalf of the other spouse. Alimony is to be distinguished from child support and is often called "spousal support," or "spousal maintenance."

Unless both parties waive their rights to alimony in the Separation Agreement, the court can re-open the question in the future if one party asks and there is a change in material circumstances.

Either party may be required to pay to the other party "alimony"  Alimony is not limited to payments to the wife by the husband. 

Alimony is paid for a variety of reasons, but its purpose is to assist in making the settlement between the parties fair and equitable. Alimony may be paid in lieu of a division of property; to support one spouse until the spouse is relocated or finds a new career; to even out the disparities in income between the spouse; or to support the other spouse because the spouse has a limited earning power.

Courts decide alimony based on a number of statutory factors which are subject to interpretation, as distinguished from child support which is based on a very specific formula. As far as child support is concerned, the child obligation can be computed very precisely based upon the statutory formula so there is less room for argument. Alimony on the other hand is based on broad general rules that are subject to interpretation. As a result there is room for disagreement between the parties, and this in turn creates an opportunity for each party to retain an attorney to fight over the appropriate amount of alimony. If both parties can come to quick agreement, perhaps with the assistance of counsel or a mediator, it will be possible to avoid an expensive and time consuming dispute.