Is alimony considered a form of child support?

No, alimony and child support are two separate types of payments. Alimony is an allowance paid by one ex-spouse to another for financial support after a divorce. Alimony is based on the needs of the receiving spouse and the ability of the paying spouse to pay. It is generally ordered by a judge and is often paid on a monthly basis for a specific period of time, or until the receiving spouse can become self-supporting. Child support, on the other hand, is the financial contribution that one parent is required by law to make to help cover the costs of raising the child or children of the marriage. Child support is based on the income of both parents and the needs of the children. It is paid directly to the parent with primary physical custody of the child or children, and can be paid weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. In North Carolina, child support is usually calculated by using the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines. Therefore, alimony and child support are not the same thing. In North Carolina, alimony is designed to provide financial assistance to a spouse after the termination of a marriage, while child support is designed to provide financial assistance to the children.

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Is alimony considered a form of child support?

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