Definition: Support paid by one divorced spouse to the other as ordered by a court in a divorce decree. Usually it is paid by the male to his ex-wife, but occasionally a wealthy woman may have to pay her husband. In same-sex relationships, courts have required the spouse with income to pay to support his/her stay-at-home former partner. Many counties and states have adopted formulas for alimony based on the income of each party. Payment of alimony is usually limited by time based on the number of years of marriage. Lengthy marriages may result in a life-time of payments. A substantial change in circumstance can be grounds for the court to grant a modification or termination of the payment.
Failure to pay ordered alimony can result in contempt of court citations and even jail time. The level of alimony can be determined by written agreement and submitted to the court for a stipulated order. Alimony is deductible from income tax as an expense for the payer and charged as income to the recipient.
Also Known As: Spousal Support
