How long is alimony typically paid?

In Virginia, alimony, or spousal support, is typically paid for a certain period of time as determined by the court. The length of payments depends on a variety of factors, including the length of the marriage and each spouse’s earning potential and financial need. If the marriage lasted fewer than five years, alimony is generally paid for a period of time equal to one-fourth the length of the marriage. This means that if the marriage lasted three years, alimony would be paid for a period of twelve months. For marriages that lasted five or more years, alimony may be paid for an indefinite period of time. The court must consider the age, health, and income potential for each spouse, as well as other factors, to determine the amount and length of spousal support. In some cases, the court may order a spouse to pay alimony for a specific period followed by limited payments for a number of years after that. The court may also order a “rehabilitative” alimony, which is a limited period of payments designed to help a spouse become self-supporting. At any time, alimony can be requested to be adjusted or terminated based on a significant change in circumstances, such as a job loss or an increase in income. The court will review whether alimony should be modified or ended.

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