What is alimony?

Alimony is a form of support paid by one spouse to the other during or after a marriage. In North Carolina, alimony is referred to as “post-separation support.” Under North Carolina law, alimony can be granted in several forms, such as periodic payments from one spouse to another or a lump sum. In order to be eligible to receive alimony, the receiving spouse must be financially dependent on the other spouse. A court may take into account the length of the marriage, the standard of living established by the couple, and the earning capacities of both parties. The court may also look into the lifestyle each spouse had prior to the marriage in order to determine the amount of alimony that should be awarded. Moreover, it is important to note that alimony is not intended to punish the paying spouse, but to help the receiving spouse remain financially independent after the marriage. Alimony payments usually end when the receiving spouse remarries, or when one spouse dies. Typically, a court will order alimony for a certain period of time, depending on the circumstances. The court may also modify the alimony amount or terminate payments, depending on the needs of the couple and their financial situation.

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What is alimony?

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