How long must a marriage last to qualify for alimony?

In Mississippi, alimony, or spousal support, is available only if certain legal requirements are met. Generally, a marriage must last for a certain amount of time before a spouse is eligible to receive alimony. This amount of time is dependent on several factors, including the length of the marriage, the needs and the incomes of both parties, the age and health of the parties, and the ability of both parties to become self-supporting in the future. In Mississippi, a married couple must generally be married for at least three years to qualify for alimony. This three-year period is referred to as a “short-term” marriage. If a couple has been married for less than three years, alimony may still be available, but only in certain circumstances. In Mississippi, a couple must be married for at least five years to qualify for what is referred to as “long-term” alimony. If the length of the marriage does not meet these minimum thresholds, then alimony will generally not be available. The court may also consider the financial needs of both parties, as well as their respective incomes and financial resources. Typically, the spouse who earns more money will be responsible for providing alimony to the spouse who earns less. Thus, in Mississippi, alimony is generally available if a couple has been married for at least three years, or in certain cases, if the marriage was shorter than three years. However, the court may consider other factors when determining if alimony is a viable option.

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How long must a marriage last to qualify for alimony?

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