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 West Virginia, alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other following a divorce or separation. The state's family law statutes outline the conditions under which alimony may be awarded, which typically include considerations of each spouse's income, length of the marriage, standard of living during the marriage, and the recipient's need for support. Alimony can be temporary, for a fixed period, or permanent, depending on the circumstances. Either party can request a modification of the alimony order if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a substantial change in income or living situation. The courts have discretion in determining whether to modify alimony payments and will assess whether the change in circumstances justifies an increase or decrease in the support amount.