Types of Alimony

There are many different types of alimony, or alimony types for different types of circumstances. When a couple divorces today and children are involved, child support is almost a given. But unlike divorces years ago, alimony is not always awarded. When alimony is sought and awarded though, there are five main types. Understanding the types of alimony available can help you during a divorce proceeding, and can help your lawyer determine your chances of having alimony awarded as part of the divorce agreement.

Alimony Types

Permanent Alimony

Permanent alimony is a type of spousal support designed to provide day-to-day support that will continue indefinitely. The main reasons this type of alimony would stop is the death of either party, or the remarriage of the spouse receiving the support. If the recipient enters into an arrangement with another person such as she decides to live with someone as if married, the alimony can also be legally challenged and often it will be discontinued.

If the alimony recipient’s financial situation changes as in a raise or promotion, the alimony can be adjusted down, as it can be if the payer’s situation changes through no fault of his own.

Temporary Alimony

Temporary alimony is simply basic support given while a couple is separated but the divorce is not yet final. It can become permanent alimony during the divorce, but doesn’t have to.

Lump-Sum Alimony

This is when one spouse makes a single payment to the alimony recipient. Very often this is done by mutual agreement instead of property being awarded to the recipient spouse or to pay back one spouse for expenses incurred while supporting the other, as in one paying the bills while the other spouse finishes school. This type of alimony is often also referred to as alimony in gross, and isn’t based on financial need.

Reimbursement Alimony

Reimbursement alimony is common when one spouse helps put the other through school or a training program and bears all or most of the expenses for a certain period of time, then divorce proceedings begin shortly after the spouse finishes the school or program. It’s designed to pay back the spouse for handling all of the expenses during this time, so even if no crisis or day-to-day need for the support is present, this type of alimony can still be awarded.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony is designed so that the spouse who stayed home with the children or who currently stays at home can pay the bills and cover day-to-day expenses while going to school or training to be able to support the family without his or her spouse. A mother with small children, for instance, might be awarded rehabilitative alimony to help pay expenses until the youngest child starts school, making it more practical for her to then join the workforce.

There's typically a set date when this alimony will be reviewed, and if the custodial spouse has finished training and becomes self-supporting, then the alimony can be discontinued or adjusted.