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 Tennessee, alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance awarded to one spouse following a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to provide economic support to a spouse who may be at a financial disadvantage post-divorce. Tennessee recognizes several types of alimony, including rehabilitative alimony, transitional alimony, alimony in solido (lump sum alimony), and alimony in futuro (periodic alimony). The determination of alimony is based on various factors, including the length of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the need for one spouse to support the other. After an alimony order is in place, either party can request a modification of the alimony terms if there is a significant and material change in circumstances. This could mean an increase or decrease in the amount of support, depending on the changes in the financial situation of either the paying or receiving spouse. The modification process typically requires a showing that the change in circumstances is substantial and ongoing, making the original terms unfair or untenable. Tennessee's statutes regarding alimony can be found in the Tennessee Code, Title 36, Domestic Relations.