What is Alimony?
Alimony, maintenance or
spousal support is an obligation established by divorce law or family
law in many countries. This obligation is based on the premise that both
spouses have an absolute obligation to support each other during their
marriage (or civil union). Alimony is the extension of the
obligation to support after separation or
divorce.
Merriam-Webster defines
alimony as: an allowance made to one spouse by the other for support
pending or after legal separation or
divorce.
Alimony is not child
support, which is another ongoing financial obligation often established
in divorce. Child support is where one parent is required to contribute
to the support of his or her children through the agency of the child's
other parent or legal guardian.
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