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 (referred to as spouses) upon divorce. Financial support paid by one spouse to the other spouse while the divorce is pending is often called temporary support.

The law regarding eligibility for spousal support—including the number of years payments must be made and the amount of the payments—often depends on factors such as the length of the marriage, the spouses’ relative earning capacities, the dependent spouse’s education and employment skills, the time a dependent spouse needs to obtain sufficient education or training, and whether there was family violence in the marriage.

Spousal support payments are generally taxable income to the person receiving the payments and deductible for the person making the payments. Such payments generally terminate upon (1) the end of the court-ordered award or payment period; (2) the death of either spouse; or (3) the remarriage of the spouse receiving the payments. And in some states the court may terminate the payments if the spouse receiving payments cohabits (lives) with another person with whom they have a romantic relationship.

Spousal support laws vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the family or domestic relations code.

In Maryland, alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. The state's laws consider several factors when determining eligibility for alimony, including the duration of the marriage, the financial needs and resources of each spouse, the standard of living established during the marriage, and the contributions of each spouse to the well-being of the family. Maryland courts may award temporary alimony during divorce proceedings and rehabilitative alimony for a period post-divorce to support a dependent spouse while they gain the necessary education or skills to become self-sufficient. The amount and duration of alimony payments are decided on a case-by-case basis. Alimony typically ends when the period set by the court expires, when either spouse dies, or if the recipient spouse remarries. Additionally, cohabitation of the recipient spouse with a new partner may also lead to the termination or modification of alimony. It's important to note that under federal law, for divorce or separation instruments executed after December 31, 2018, alimony payments are no longer deductible by the payer, nor are they considered taxable income to the recipient.