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 Louisiana (LA), spousal support, also known as alimony, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. The state recognizes two types of spousal support: interim spousal support and final periodic spousal support. Interim spousal support is temporary and may be awarded while the divorce is pending, whereas final periodic spousal support may be granted after the divorce is finalized. The determination of spousal support in Louisiana is based on factors such as the needs of the requesting spouse, the ability of the other spouse to pay, the standard of living during the marriage, and the duration of the marriage. Either party can request a modification of the spousal support order if there is a material change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income or employment status. The modification process typically requires showing the court that the change is substantial and was not anticipated at the time of the original order. Louisiana's specific statutes regarding spousal support can be found in the state's Civil Code and are administered under the jurisdiction of family courts.