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 Florida, alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance provided by one ex-spouse to the other following a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help the receiving spouse maintain a standard of living comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage, especially if there is a significant disparity in the financial situations of the parties involved. Florida law recognizes different types of alimony, including bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational, and permanent, each with specific purposes and durations. The amount and duration of alimony are determined by the court based on factors such as the length of the marriage, the financial resources of each party, the standard of living established during the marriage, and the contributions of each party to the marriage. Either party can request a modification of the alimony order if there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income or the financial needs of either party. The modification process requires the party seeking the change to demonstrate that the change is material, involuntary, and permanent in nature. Florida's alimony laws are primarily governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 61.