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 Illinois, spousal support, also known as spousal maintenance or alimony, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. The purpose of spousal maintenance is to help the receiving spouse maintain a similar standard of living to that which was established during the marriage. Illinois law determines the eligibility, amount, and duration of spousal maintenance based on several factors, including each spouse's income and property, the needs of each party, the standard of living established during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, and the age and physical and emotional condition of both parties. Under Illinois law, either party can request a modification of the spousal support order if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a substantial change in income, employment status, or the needs of the receiving spouse. These modifications can result in an increase or decrease in the amount of support. The relevant statutes can be found in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.