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 Minnesota, spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is financial support paid by one ex-spouse to the other after a divorce. The purpose of spousal maintenance is to provide financial assistance to the spouse who is unable to meet their needs independently or who may have been financially disadvantaged by the marriage. Minnesota law allows for either temporary or permanent spousal maintenance, depending on the circumstances of the case. The amount and duration of spousal maintenance are determined by considering factors such as the length of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, their incomes, education, and the standard of living established during the marriage. Either party can later request a modification of the spousal maintenance order if there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, employment status, or living expenses. The modification process requires showing the court that the change is substantial and ongoing, making the original order unreasonable or unfair.