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 New Jersey, alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help the recipient spouse maintain a standard of living similar to that enjoyed during the marriage, especially if there is a significant disparity in income between the spouses. New Jersey law recognizes several types of alimony: open durational alimony, rehabilitative alimony, limited duration alimony, and reimbursement alimony. The amount and duration of alimony payments are determined by the court based on factors such as the length of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, the standard of living established during the marriage, and the earning capacities of both spouses. Either party can request a modification of the alimony order if there is a 'material change in circumstances' such as a significant change in income, cohabitation, or changes in need. The modification process requires the party seeking the change to demonstrate that the circumstances have changed substantially enough to warrant an increase or decrease in the support amount.