What is alimony?
Alimony, or spousal support, is financial support to be paid by one spouse to the other as per a court order. The term "spousal support" replaced the term "alimony" in Maine's statutes in October 1997.

What does a court consider in determining when an award of spousal support is appropriate?
The list of factors that a court must consider are set forth in 19-A M.R.S.A. § 721, found within this site.

How is the amount calculated?
There are no specific guidelines or formulas for the award of spousal support. Judges often look at the length of the marriage, the current income and assets of both parties, and the needs of both parties. This is not an exhaustive list.

Can spousal support be ordered paid in addition to child support?
Yes. The two serve different purposes, and there is often an award for both types of support in a divorce judgment.

Is spousal support available to men as well as to women?
Yes, the statute is gender neutral.

My original divorce judgment did not provide for a payment for alimony or spousal support. Can I ask for it at a later date?
In Maine, if your original divorce judgment did not provide for alimony or spousal support, then you are not able to go back and ask for it at a later date. If the original judgment included an award of alimony or spousal support, even an award of $1.00 per year, then a court can modify the award at some future time upon a showing of substantial change in circumstances.