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 Kentucky, spousal support, also known as maintenance, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. The purpose of spousal support is to help the receiving spouse maintain a standard of living similar to that enjoyed during the marriage, especially if there is a significant disparity in income or earning potential between the spouses. Kentucky law allows for either temporary or permanent maintenance, and the amount and duration of payments are determined by considering factors such as the length of the marriage, the financial resources of each party, and the ability of the spouse seeking maintenance to become self-sufficient. A court may modify an existing spousal support order if there has been a material change in circumstances that affects either the ability of the paying spouse to provide support or the financial needs of the receiving spouse. Such modifications can result in an increase or decrease in the amount of support, depending on the new circumstances. The relevant statutes governing spousal support in Kentucky can be found in the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS), particularly within the family law sections.