What is alimony?

Alimony is a court ordered payment from one former spouse to the other. It is based upon primarily need and ability to pay. It is payable by the more capable financial former spouse to the less capable financial former spouse. It usually takes one of five different forms. From the most severe to the least severe, they are permanent alimony, which is payable forever or until a particular event occurs. Followed by durational alimony, which is typically payable for no longer than one half the duration of the marriage. Then followed by rehabilitative alimony, which is payable to fund a particular rehabilitative plan needed by one spouse such as an educational plan. Followed by bridge-the-gap alimony, which is typically not payable for more than two years. Followed by temporary relief alimony, which is alimony payable only during dependency while a particular case is going on to help one spouse who doesn't want to get starved out during the process.