Not all alimony is created equal. Courts and divorcing couples can structure spousal support in several different ways depending on the circumstances of the marriage, the needs of both spouses, and the goals of the support arrangement. Understanding the different types of alimony helps you advocate effectively for an arrangement that meets your needs or prepares you for what a court might order in your case.
Temporary Alimony
Temporary alimony, sometimes called pendente lite support, provides financial assistance to the lower-earning spouse during the divorce proceedings themselves. This support begins when requested during the divorce case and ends when the final divorce decree is issued. Its purpose is to maintain the status quo and prevent financial hardship while the divorce is pending.
Courts grant temporary alimony relatively readily because the goal is simply to ensure both spouses can meet their basic needs during what may be a lengthy divorce process. The amount is typically based on each spouse's current income and expenses without the detailed analysis that goes into permanent support decisions. Receiving temporary alimony does not guarantee you will receive support after the divorce is finalized.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Rehabilitative alimony is designed to support a spouse while they take steps to become financially self-sufficient. This type of support is appropriate when the receiving spouse needs time and resources to complete education, obtain job training, or otherwise develop the skills necessary to enter or re-enter the workforce. Courts typically require a specific plan outlining the education or training to be pursued and the expected timeframe for completion.
The duration of rehabilitative alimony corresponds to the time needed to complete the rehabilitation plan. A spouse pursuing a two-year degree program might receive support for that period plus additional time to secure employment. If the recipient fails to make reasonable progress toward self-sufficiency, the paying spouse may petition to modify or terminate the support. Conversely, if circumstances change and the plan takes longer than expected, extensions may be granted.
Permanent Alimony
Permanent alimony provides ongoing support without a predetermined end date, though it rarely lasts truly forever despite its name. This type of support is typically reserved for long-term marriages where the receiving spouse's age, health, or circumstances make it unrealistic to expect them to become fully self-supporting. A spouse who is nearing retirement age after a thirty-year marriage, for example, may be unable to develop a career that provides adequate income.
Even permanent alimony usually terminates upon certain events such as the death of either spouse, the remarriage of the recipient, or significant changes in circumstances. Courts may also set durational limits or provide for step-down reductions over time. The trend in many states has been to limit permanent alimony in favor of time-limited or rehabilitative support, though truly permanent support remains available in appropriate cases.
Reimbursement Alimony
Reimbursement alimony compensates a spouse who made financial contributions that enabled the other spouse to increase their earning capacity, such as supporting them through graduate school or professional training. The rationale is that the supporting spouse invested in the family's future earning potential and deserves to share in the returns on that investment even if the marriage ends before those returns materialize.
This type of alimony is particularly common in shorter marriages where one spouse worked to support the other through medical school, law school, or similar professional programs. The supporting spouse sacrificed their own career advancement and expected to benefit from the increased household income once the other spouse completed their training. Reimbursement alimony ensures they receive some return on their investment even though the marriage did not continue.
Lump Sum Alimony
Rather than ongoing periodic payments, lump sum alimony provides support through a single payment or a series of fixed payments totaling a specified amount. This arrangement offers certainty for both parties because the total obligation is fixed and neither modification nor termination applies. The receiving spouse knows exactly what they will receive, and the paying spouse knows exactly what they owe.
Lump sum alimony may be appropriate when the paying spouse has sufficient assets to make a large payment, when both parties prefer a clean break without ongoing financial ties, or when concerns about future payment compliance make a definite settlement preferable. The lump sum may be paid in cash, through property transfer, or in installments over a defined period. Unlike periodic alimony, lump sum awards typically survive the recipient's remarriage.
Bridge-the-Gap Alimony
Some states recognize bridge-the-gap alimony as a distinct category designed to help a spouse transition from married to single life. This short-term support addresses immediate financial needs such as finding housing, establishing utilities, and covering living expenses while the recipient adjusts to their new situation. Bridge-the-gap alimony typically lasts no more than two years and cannot be modified.
Bridge-the-gap alimony differs from rehabilitative alimony in that it does not require a specific plan for achieving self-sufficiency. It simply recognizes that divorce creates immediate financial challenges and provides temporary assistance to address them. This type of support is often appropriate in shorter marriages where extended support would not be justified but the lower-earning spouse still needs help during the transition.
Combining Alimony Types
Courts are not limited to awarding a single type of alimony. Depending on the circumstances, a divorce decree might combine multiple types to address different needs. A spouse might receive temporary support during the divorce, followed by rehabilitative support while completing education, with the possibility of reduced permanent support afterward if full self-sufficiency is not achieved.
Understanding these options helps you and your attorney develop proposals that address your specific situation. If you are the lower-earning spouse, identifying which types of support meet your needs strengthens your case. If you are the higher-earning spouse, understanding the different types helps you evaluate what might be reasonable and propose alternatives that meet the other spouse's legitimate needs while protecting your interests.