Alimony, spousal support, spousal maintenance, or domestic partner support (collectively, spousal support) is generally financial support in the form of periodic payments (usually monthly) paid by one spouse or domestic partner to the other spouse or domestic partner upon divorce.

The person paying spousal support or the person receiving spousal support may seek to modify the court’s order for support—usually by increasing it or decreasing it—due to a material change in circumstances of the person paying support or the person receiving support.

Spousal support laws vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the family or domestic code.

In Delaware, alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other following a divorce or separation. The purpose of alimony is to help the receiving spouse maintain a standard of living similar to that enjoyed during the marriage, particularly if there is a significant disparity in income between the spouses. Delaware courts consider several factors when determining alimony, including the length of the marriage, the financial resources of each spouse, the age and health of the parties, and the ability of the receiving spouse to become self-supporting. Under Delaware law, either spouse can request a modification of the alimony order if there is a material change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, employment status, or health of either party. The modification can result in an increase or decrease in the amount of support, depending on the circumstances. The relevant statutes governing alimony in Delaware can be found in Title 13 of the Delaware Code, which covers domestic relations and family law matters.