What is the difference between alimony and spousal support?

Alimony and spousal support are different terms for the same concept: one spouse providing financial support to the other spouse after a divorce. In Louisiana, alimony and spousal support are intended to help maintain the economic balance of the marriage and to prevent a spouse from becoming reliant on public benefits. Alimony and spousal support are separate from child support and division of other assets after a divorce. Instead, they are payments given to one spouse by the other to help cover day-to-day living expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, groceries, and medical bills. The duration of payments usually depends on how long the marriage lasted and the financial status of the spouses. The main difference between alimony and spousal support is that alimony is a lump sum payment made immediately after a divorce is finalized. Spousal support is an ongoing payment that may be given to a spouse over an extended period of time. In Louisiana, alimony payments are generally seen as one-time, while spousal support may be given on a monthly basis. In Louisiana, the court will consider several factors before awarding alimony or spousal support, including the length of the marriage, the age and health of the spouses, the earning capacity of each spouse, and any parenting duties taken on by either spouse. The court also takes into account any fault in the breakdown of the marriage, such as adultery.

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What is the difference between alimony and spousal support?

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