Let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood parts of a divorce: alimony. It’s not a punishment or a prize. In Maryland, spousal support is simply a practical tool to ensure one person isn’t left at an unfair financial disadvantage. But what is alimony payment, really? And how do you know if it will be part of your separation? This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll explain the different types of alimony payments a court can award and the specific factors a judge must consider to reach a fair decision for your family.
Key Takeaways
- Alimony is a customized financial solution, not a given: Maryland courts carefully weigh factors like your marriage’s duration, each spouse’s financial situation, and earning potential to determine if support is necessary and fair for your specific circumstances.
- Most spousal support has a clear purpose and end date: The most common type of alimony is temporary and rehabilitative, designed to provide the receiving spouse with the time and resources needed to become financially self-sufficient after the divorce.
- Your alimony agreement isn’t set in stone, but changes require court action: Significant life events, such as a job loss or remarriage, can be grounds to modify or terminate payments, but you must go through the formal legal process to make any changes official.
What Are Alimony Payments and Why Are They Awarded?
When you’re going through a divorce, the financial side of things can feel incredibly overwhelming. One of the most common topics that comes up is alimony, also known as spousal support. At its core, alimony is a tool used by courts to ensure that a divorce doesn’t leave one spouse in a significantly worse financial position than the other, especially if they have been out of the workforce or earn considerably less. It’s not a punishment or a reward; it’s a practical measure designed to provide financial stability during a major life transition.
The main goal is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living similar to what they had during the marriage, at least for a period of time. For a court to award alimony, it needs to see a clear financial need from one person and the ability to pay from the other. Unfortunately, there are many myths floating around about who gets alimony and for how long. It’s not an automatic part of every divorce, and it’s rarely a lifelong arrangement. Understanding what alimony is and why it’s awarded is the first step in navigating your financial future with clarity and confidence after a divorce.
So, What Exactly Is Alimony?
So, what exactly is alimony? Think of it as financial support that one spouse pays to the other after they’ve divorced. The legal term you’ll often hear in Maryland is “spousal support.” Its purpose is to help the spouse who earns less money—or who may not have an income at all—keep a lifestyle that’s comparable to the one they had during the marriage. This isn’t about penalizing the higher-earning spouse. Instead, it’s a court-ordered payment designed to fairly address the economic gap that a divorce can create. Understanding what alimony is and how it works is crucial for managing financial expectations during this process.
What’s the Goal of Alimony?
The primary reason courts award alimony is to provide “reasonable and necessary” financial support to the spouse who needs it. It’s about fairness. For a judge to grant alimony, the person requesting it has to demonstrate a genuine financial need. At the same time, they must also show that their former spouse has the financial capacity to make these payments without facing undue hardship themselves. The ultimate goal is to ensure both individuals can move forward and transition into their separate, post-marriage lives with a degree of financial stability. It acts as a bridge, helping one spouse get back on their feet financially.
Debunking Common Alimony Myths
There are quite a few misunderstandings about alimony that can cause a lot of stress and confusion. Let’s clear up some of the most common ones. First, alimony is not awarded in every single divorce. It’s only considered when there’s a significant difference in the spouses’ incomes or earning potential. Another major myth is that alimony is always a lifelong payment. While that can happen in very long marriages, it’s not the norm. More often, alimony is temporary and designed to last just long enough for the receiving spouse to become self-sufficient. These and other misconceptions about alimony are important to set aside so you can focus on the facts of your situation.
Alimony vs. Child Support: What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to get alimony and child support mixed up, but they serve two very different purposes. The simplest way to think about it is to ask: who is the money for? Alimony is financial support paid from one former spouse to the other to help them maintain their standard of living after the divorce. It’s all about the adults. On the other hand, child support is money paid to cover the expenses of raising your children—things like housing, food, clothing, and medical care. Its sole focus is the child’s well-being. While they are calculated separately and have different legal rules, it’s possible for one person to pay or receive both, depending on the family’s circumstances and child custody arrangements. Understanding this distinction is a key step in sorting out your post-divorce finances.
What Types of Alimony Could Apply to You?
When people think of alimony, they often picture one person writing a check to their ex-spouse every month for the rest of their lives. But that’s rarely the full picture. In Maryland, spousal support is designed to be fair and address the specific financial realities of your separation. The court recognizes that every marriage is different, and so is every divorce. As a result, there isn’t just one type of alimony; there are several forms designed to fit different situations.
Understanding these distinctions is a critical first step in figuring out what your financial future might look like after a divorce. Whether you’re the one who may be paying or the one who might receive support, knowing the purpose behind each type of alimony can help you set realistic expectations. The goal of the court is not to punish one spouse or reward the other, but to help both parties transition into their new, separate lives on stable financial footing. From short-term support during the divorce process to long-term arrangements, each type of alimony serves a unique purpose in your overall family law case.
Temporary Alimony: Support During the Divorce Process
Temporary alimony, also known as pendente lite alimony, is exactly what it sounds like: financial support paid while your divorce is still in progress. The legal process can take months, and it’s not fair for one spouse to be left in a difficult financial position during that time. This type of support is designed to maintain the household’s financial status quo, ensuring both you and your spouse can cover living expenses until the final divorce decree is issued. It helps keep the lights on and food on the table during a very transitional period. Once your divorce is finalized, temporary alimony ends, and a different, more long-term form of alimony may be ordered by the court.
Temporary Support in Domestic Violence Cases
In situations involving domestic violence, the need for temporary alimony becomes even more urgent. Leaving an abusive environment often creates immediate financial distress, making it critical for the court to provide support as quickly as possible. Maryland law recognizes these unique and dangerous circumstances. Judges have the discretion to expedite the process for awarding temporary alimony to ensure a victim can secure the financial resources needed for their safety and stability. This support can be a lifeline, providing the means to find a safe place to live and cover essential expenses while the divorce case proceeds. If you are in this situation, it’s important to know that the legal system has mechanisms in place to help protect you, and seeking experienced legal guidance is a crucial step in activating those protections.
Rehabilitative Alimony: Help to Get Back on Your Feet
Rehabilitative alimony is the most common type of spousal support awarded in Maryland. Its purpose is to provide the lower-earning spouse with financial support for a specific period, giving them the time and resources to get back on their feet. This support is intended to help them “rehabilitate” their earning capacity by pursuing education, job training, or work experience. For example, if you left your career to raise children, rehabilitative alimony could help you pay for classes to update your professional certifications. The court sets a clear timeline for this support, creating a pathway for both spouses to become financially independent after the divorce.
Permanent Alimony: Long-Term Financial Support
Permanent alimony, which is more accurately called indefinite alimony in Maryland, is less common and is typically reserved for specific circumstances. It’s usually awarded after a long-term marriage where one spouse has a significantly lower earning potential due to age, illness, or disability, and cannot be expected to become self-supporting. It might also be granted if the standard of living between the spouses would be unconscionably disparate without it. Unlike other forms of alimony, indefinite alimony doesn’t have a set end date, though it generally terminates if the recipient remarries or if either spouse passes away.
Alimony for Spouses with Disabilities
For spouses with disabilities, alimony can be a critical source of financial stability. A divorce often creates a significant economic gap, and this is magnified when one person’s ability to work is limited by a physical or mental health condition. Maryland courts recognize this reality, and it’s one of the specific situations where indefinite alimony might be awarded. If a disability prevents a spouse from becoming financially self-supporting, long-term support may be necessary to ensure they can maintain a reasonable standard of living. To build a strong case, it’s essential to clearly document how the disability impacts your earning potential and outline your specific financial needs. This is a key part of any family law proceeding involving spousal support.
Reimbursement Alimony: Paying Back Contributions
Reimbursement alimony is a way of paying back a spouse for the contributions they made to the other’s career or education during the marriage. Think of a situation where one spouse worked full-time to support the family while the other went to medical or law school. That supporting spouse made a significant financial sacrifice with the expectation of sharing in the future rewards. If a divorce happens shortly after the degree is earned, reimbursement alimony can be awarded to compensate the supporting spouse for their investment in the other’s earning potential. It’s about acknowledging and repaying that direct contribution.
Lump-Sum Alimony: A One-Time Payment Option
Instead of ongoing monthly payments, lump-sum alimony is a single, one-time payment. This can be an attractive option for both parties as it provides a clean break and financial finality. The receiving spouse gets a fixed amount of money upfront, and the paying spouse fulfills their entire alimony obligation at once. This arrangement is often part of a broader property settlement agreement and can be paid in cash or through the transfer of an asset, like equity in the family home. A lump-sum payment simplifies the future, as there’s no need to worry about late payments or future modifications.
The Legal Process for Requesting Alimony
Getting alimony isn’t something that just happens; you have to take specific legal steps to request it. The process begins when you file for divorce. Within your initial court paperwork, known as the Complaint for Absolute Divorce, you must formally state your request for spousal support. This isn’t just a casual mention; it’s a legal claim that sets the stage for the entire discussion. From there, both you and your spouse will need to provide detailed financial information to the court. This includes everything from income and assets to monthly expenses and debts. The court uses this financial disclosure to get a clear picture of each person’s economic situation. Having an experienced attorney to guide you through this paperwork is essential to ensure everything is filed correctly and your case is presented effectively.
The Importance of Timing: Requesting Alimony During Divorce
When it comes to requesting alimony, timing is everything. You must make your request for spousal support while your divorce case is still open. Once the judge signs the final divorce decree, you lose the right to ask for alimony later on. This is a strict deadline, which is why it’s so important to address it from the very beginning. Even if you and your spouse reach a verbal agreement about support, it’s crucial to have it officially documented in a court order. As legal resources point out, without a formal order, there’s nothing stopping your ex-spouse from changing their mind and stopping payments at any time, leaving you with no legal recourse.
The Role of Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement can significantly change the conversation around alimony. If you and your spouse signed a valid prenup before getting married, it likely contains specific clauses about spousal support. This agreement might set clear rules for if, how much, and for how long alimony will be paid, or it might state that both parties waive their right to it entirely. When a prenup is in place, it can provide a clear roadmap and prevent lengthy disputes over finances during the divorce. As long as the agreement is legally sound, a judge will typically enforce its terms, simplifying the process and allowing both of you to move forward with more certainty.
How Is the Alimony Payment Amount Decided?
When it comes to alimony, there’s no magic calculator that spits out a number. Instead, Maryland courts take a comprehensive look at your family’s unique situation to arrive at a decision that is fair and equitable. The judge considers a specific set of statutory factors to determine whether alimony is appropriate, and if so, how much should be paid and for how long. This approach ensures that the final decision is tailored to the real-life circumstances of both you and your former spouse. It’s a process designed to be thorough, not one-size-fits-all.
The court will examine everything from your finances and the length of your marriage to your standard of living and individual health. The goal is to create an outcome that acknowledges the contributions of each spouse and addresses any significant financial disparities that arise from the divorce. Because every marriage is different, the law allows for this flexibility. It’s less about applying a rigid formula and more about achieving a just result based on the evidence presented. Understanding these key factors can help you prepare for the process and know what to expect as you move forward.
Understanding Maryland’s Alimony Laws
In Maryland, alimony is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to the other to provide financial assistance following a divorce. The state’s legal framework gives judges significant discretion. Rather than following a strict formula, the court must weigh a dozen different factors to decide on an award. The primary goal is to see if the spouse asking for support can become self-sufficient or if there’s a significant, unfair difference in your living standards after the divorce. This flexible system allows the court to address the specific realities of your marriage and separation, aiming for a just outcome for everyone involved.
How Past Court Cases Shape Alimony Rulings
Because Maryland law gives judges so much discretion, past court cases play a significant role in shaping alimony decisions. This is known as legal precedent. While a judge must consider the statutory factors, they look to previous rulings to see how those factors have been applied in similar situations. This is why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer; the outcome of your case depends on how a judge interprets the law based on your specific circumstances and the arguments presented. An experienced attorney understands this landscape and can build a strong case by showing how the facts of your situation align with favorable precedents in family law, ultimately aiming for a fair and just result.
How Income and Finances Affect Alimony
A major part of the court’s decision-making process involves a deep dive into each person’s finances. The judge will carefully consider all financial resources and needs of both you and your spouse. This includes your current incomes, any property you each own, and your respective financial obligations. The court also looks at “earning capacity,” which is the amount each person could reasonably be expected to earn based on their education, skills, and job market. This means the court considers not just what you are earning now, but what your potential to earn is, ensuring a fair assessment of your financial futures.
Assessing Need vs. Ability to Pay
At the heart of any alimony decision is a simple balance: one spouse’s financial need versus the other’s ability to pay. It’s not enough to just want support; the person requesting it must demonstrate that it’s necessary. The court’s primary goal is to achieve fairness by providing “reasonable and necessary” financial help. A judge will look at many factors, including the lifestyle you had during the marriage, how long you were married, the age and health of both you and your spouse, and each person’s ability to become self-supporting. This comprehensive review ensures the final decision is based on your family’s actual circumstances.
The Impact of Marital Property Division
Alimony isn’t decided in isolation. The court looks at the complete financial picture, and that includes how your marital property is divided. The goal is to help both you and your former spouse transition into your new lives on stable financial footing. For example, if you receive a significant portion of the assets—like the family home with a lot of equity or a large share of retirement accounts—the court might determine that your need for ongoing alimony is reduced or even eliminated. The division of your assets is a crucial piece of the puzzle that directly influences the final alimony decision, ensuring the overall outcome is equitable.
Does the Length of Your Marriage Matter?
How long you were married is another key piece of the puzzle. Generally, a longer marriage may lead to a longer period of alimony payments. While there isn’t a strict rule, judges often use the duration of the marriage as a guideline when shaping an alimony award. The logic is that in a long-term marriage, spouses’ financial lives become more deeply intertwined, and one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities for the benefit of the family. The court recognizes this and considers the time it might take for a dependent spouse to get back on their feet financially after a lengthy marriage.
Is There a Minimum Marriage Length for Alimony?
This is a question that comes up a lot, and the answer is straightforward: no, there is no minimum number of years you have to be married to be eligible for alimony in Maryland. The court’s decision isn’t based on a simple timeline. Instead, a judge looks at the specific circumstances of your case, focusing on whether one spouse has a clear financial need and the other has the ability to provide support. Even in a shorter marriage, alimony could be awarded if, for example, one person made significant career sacrifices for the relationship. The court’s main goal is to ensure a fair outcome, and that means considering all the unique factors that influence an alimony decision, not just the number of years you were together.
Maintaining Your Standard of Living After Divorce
The court aims to ensure that both spouses can maintain a lifestyle that is reasonably comparable to the one they enjoyed while married. Alimony is designed to prevent one spouse from experiencing a drastic and unfair drop in their standard of living after the divorce. The court will look at your family’s lifestyle during the marriage—the type of home you lived in, the vacations you took, your spending habits—to get a clear picture. The goal isn’t necessarily to perfectly replicate that lifestyle for both parties, but to provide the dependent spouse with enough support to live at a standard generally commensurate with the quality of life that existed during the marriage.
How Age, Health, and Earning Potential Are Weighed
Personal circumstances like age and health play a significant role in alimony decisions. A judge will consider the physical and mental condition of each spouse, as these factors can directly impact their ability to work and be self-supporting. For example, an older spouse or someone with a chronic health condition may have a more difficult time entering or re-entering the workforce. The court also looks at the contributions each person made to the family, both financially and non-financially, like caring for children or managing the household. These personal details are essential for creating a fair alimony arrangement, which is a core part of family law.
Do the Reasons for the Divorce Matter?
It’s a common question: does it matter who was “at fault” for the divorce when it comes to alimony? While Maryland law does allow a judge to consider the circumstances that led to the end of the marriage, it’s rarely the deciding factor. The court’s main focus isn’t on punishment. Instead, the primary reason for awarding alimony is to provide “reasonable and necessary” financial support to the spouse who genuinely needs it. The court is more concerned with fairness and financial reality. A judge will prioritize whether the person requesting support has a demonstrated financial need and whether their former spouse has the ability to pay without creating an undue hardship for themselves.
How a Child’s Needs Can Affect Alimony
While child support and alimony are two separate financial obligations, the needs of your children can indirectly influence an alimony decision. The court considers each parent’s ability to become self-supporting, and caring for children, especially young children or a child with special needs, can impact that ability. If one parent’s caregiving responsibilities limit their capacity to work full-time or pursue career advancement, the court may take that into account when determining their financial need. This is a crucial aspect of any child custody arrangement and is considered part of the overall financial picture to ensure both parents can provide stable homes.
Alimony is Gender-Neutral
Let’s clear up an outdated myth: alimony is not just for women. Maryland law is completely gender-neutral. The court doesn’t favor one gender over the other; the decision is based entirely on finances. The spouse who needs support is often called the “dependent spouse,” and the one who pays is the “supporting spouse.” Either a husband or a wife can be ordered to pay alimony. The only questions that matter are who has the financial need and who has the ability to pay. This modern approach ensures that spousal support is awarded based on the actual circumstances of the marriage, not on traditional gender roles.
How Long Do Alimony Payments Last and Can They Be Changed?
One of the most common questions about alimony is how long it lasts. It’s a valid concern for both the person paying and the person receiving it, as it directly impacts long-term financial planning. The answer isn’t set in stone; alimony isn’t always a lifelong arrangement. Think of it less as a permanent fixture and more as a structured support system with a defined purpose and potential end date. The duration and amount can change based on your original agreement and significant life events that happen after the divorce is finalized.
The length of alimony is often tied to the length of your marriage, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. Maryland law allows for alimony orders to be modified if there’s a major, unforeseen change in circumstances for either person. This provides a necessary safety net, ensuring the arrangement remains fair even when life throws a curveball. Furthermore, certain events, like the remarriage of the person receiving support, can terminate the payments altogether. Understanding these possibilities from the start can help you plan for your financial future with greater clarity and confidence, removing some of the uncertainty that often comes with divorce.
How Long Will Alimony Payments Last?
There is no universal timeline for alimony payments. Instead, the duration is determined by the specific details of your case. The most significant factor is often the length of your marriage; a 20-year marriage is viewed very differently from a three-year one. Generally, longer marriages may lead to longer periods of alimony, sometimes indefinitely. The type of alimony awarded also plays a key role. For example, rehabilitative alimony is granted for a specific period to allow one spouse to get the education or training needed to become self-supporting. Once that time is up, the payments end. The terms are set during your divorce proceedings, and the court aims to create a fair timeline based on your unique situation.
Can Your Alimony Agreement Be Changed?
Life doesn’t stand still after a divorce, and the law recognizes that. An alimony order can be changed if there has been a “material change in circumstances.” This isn’t a minor shift; it has to be a significant, ongoing event that affects either your ability to pay or your ex-spouse’s financial needs. What counts as a material change? Common examples include an involuntary job loss, a major promotion or pay increase, a debilitating illness or disability, or the retirement of the paying spouse. To get a modification, you must file a formal request with the court and provide evidence to support your claim. The change isn’t automatic, so it’s important to address the situation legally rather than simply altering the payments on your own.
When Do Alimony Payments Stop?
Alimony payments don’t necessarily continue forever. There are several clear-cut conditions that will terminate the obligation. The most obvious one is the date specified in your divorce decree. If you were awarded alimony for a fixed period, the payments stop once that date is reached. Beyond a set timeline, alimony automatically ends upon the death of either you or your ex-spouse. Another key event is the remarriage of the person receiving the payments. In Maryland, this typically terminates the spousal support obligation. It’s important that your divorce agreement clearly outlines all the conditions for termination so there is no confusion down the road.
What Happens to Alimony if You Remarry?
While remarriage is a straightforward reason for alimony to end, cohabitation can be more complex. If the person receiving alimony begins living with a new partner in a marriage-like relationship, the paying spouse can petition the court to terminate or suspend payments. This is because the new partner may be contributing to the household expenses, reducing the recipient’s need for financial support. Proving cohabitation often requires more than just showing that someone has a new roommate. Courts typically look for evidence of a shared life, such as joint bank accounts, shared bills, or presenting as a couple socially. Because the definition can be subjective, this is an area where having clear guidance from a family law attorney is incredibly helpful to understand your rights and obligations.
Handling Alimony Taxes and Enforcing Payments
Understanding the financial and legal technicalities of alimony is just as important as knowing how it’s awarded. Once a court order is in place, you need to be aware of tax implications and what to do if payments aren’t made. This part of the process can feel overwhelming, but knowing your rights and responsibilities can make a significant difference. Let’s walk through what happens after an alimony agreement is finalized, from taxes to enforcement.
How Alimony Is Taxed
The way alimony is taxed changed a few years ago, and it’s a crucial detail to understand for your financial planning. For any divorce finalized before 2019, the person paying alimony could deduct those payments on their taxes, and the person receiving the payments had to report it as income and pay taxes on it.
However, for divorces finalized in 2019 or later, the rules are now the opposite. The person paying alimony can no longer deduct the payments, and the recipient does not have to pay taxes on the money they receive. This change can significantly impact the net amount of support received, so it’s essential to factor this into your budget and negotiations.
Making Private Agreements Legally Enforceable
It’s a positive step when you and your spouse can reach a mutual understanding on alimony without a drawn-out court fight. This allows you both to maintain control over the outcome. However, a verbal agreement or a simple note exchanged between you isn’t enough to legally protect your financial future. For your agreement to be enforceable, it must be formally written into a court order as part of your divorce decree. If you and your spouse agree on support, it’s essential to get it in writing and have it signed by a judge. Without this crucial step, your ex-spouse could stop paying at any time, leaving you with no legal recourse. Making sure these private arrangements are legally sound is a critical part of any family law case.
What to Do if Alimony Isn’t Paid
It can be incredibly stressful if your ex-spouse stops making their court-ordered alimony payments. Fortunately, you have legal options. You don’t have to handle this situation on your own. The primary way to address non-payment is to file a “motion for contempt” with the court. This motion formally tells the judge that your ex-spouse is violating the court’s order.
The court will then schedule a hearing to determine why the payments have stopped. If the judge finds your ex-spouse is willfully disobeying the order, they can enforce it through various means. This process ensures that the alimony agreement is upheld and provides a clear path to resolve payment issues through the legal system.
What Happens When Someone Doesn’t Pay Alimony?
When a court finds an individual in contempt for not paying alimony, the consequences can be serious. A judge has the authority to enforce the order in several ways, such as garnishing wages, seizing bank accounts, or placing liens on property. The goal is to ensure the dependent spouse receives the financial support they were awarded.
It’s also important to know that life changes, like remarriage, don’t automatically end alimony. If you are the recipient and you remarry, your ex-spouse can’t just stop paying. They must go back to court and formally request that the judge terminate the alimony order. Ignoring a court order has significant legal repercussions.
Getting Legal Help with Your Alimony Case
Alimony laws are complex, and the outcome of your case will always depend on your unique circumstances. From negotiating the initial agreement to handling tax questions or enforcement issues down the road, having professional guidance is invaluable. A knowledgeable family law attorney can explain how Maryland law applies to your specific situation and advocate for your best interests.
If you are preparing for a divorce or facing challenges with an existing alimony order, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice. We offer a free consultation to help you understand your options and decide on the best path forward for you and your family.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is alimony guaranteed in every Maryland divorce? Not at all. Alimony is not an automatic part of the divorce process. A court will only award it if one spouse can demonstrate a clear financial need and the other spouse has the financial ability to pay. It’s designed to address a significant economic gap between the two of you, not to be a standard feature in every separation.
What’s the real difference between rehabilitative and permanent alimony? Think of rehabilitative alimony as a temporary bridge. It’s the most common type in Maryland and is designed to provide financial support for a set period, giving the receiving spouse time to get the training or education needed to become financially independent. Permanent alimony, more accurately called indefinite alimony, is much rarer. It’s typically reserved for situations like the end of a very long marriage where one spouse, due to age or health, realistically cannot be expected to become self-supporting.
What happens if my ex-spouse’s income changes significantly after the divorce? Life happens, and courts understand that. If there’s a major, involuntary change in financial circumstances—like a job loss, a serious illness, or even a major promotion—either of you can ask the court to modify the alimony order. The change isn’t automatic, though. You must formally file a request and prove to the judge that the circumstances have changed enough to justify adjusting the payment amount up or down.
Will I lose my alimony if I move in with a new partner? This is a common concern, and the answer is nuanced. While remarrying will typically end your alimony payments, simply living with a new partner doesn’t automatically do so. Your ex-spouse would have to petition the court and prove that your new living arrangement is a “marriage-like” relationship that reduces your financial need. This is often more complex than it sounds, and a judge will look at many factors before making a decision to change or terminate your support.
Do my spouse and I have to let a judge decide on alimony, or can we agree on our own? You absolutely have the power to negotiate an alimony agreement on your own as part of your overall divorce settlement. In fact, many couples prefer this route as it gives them more control over the outcome. Working with your respective attorneys, you can create a customized plan that works for your specific situation. Once you reach an agreement, it is written into your marital settlement agreement, which is then approved by the court and becomes a legally binding order.
