What is alimony?

If one spouse can’t meet his or her reasonable needs, courts may require the other spouse to pay spousal support, otherwise known as alimony. Alimony can be paid by either the husband or the wife, although alimony rewards are less and less common as courts assume that each spouse can take care of his or herself after the marriage has ended. Even when alimony is awarded, it’s generally only given for a specified period of time, allowing the awarded spouse enough time to become self-sufficient.