Alimony in Alabama
State-specific overview · Family Law
Alabama courts award alimony based on need and ability to pay, with no fixed duration formula.
How Alabama treats Alimony
Alabama recognizes several types of alimony: permanent, rehabilitative, and reimbursement. Courts consider factors including the length of marriage, earning capacity, age, health, and standard of living during the marriage. Permanent alimony may terminate upon the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation with another person. Alabama does not use a percentage-of-income formula; judges have broad discretion in setting amounts and duration.
The general definition of Alimony
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another after divorce or separation.
Alimony is money that a court requires one spouse to pay to the other after they divorce or legally separate. It's designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living they had during the marriage. The amount and duration depend on factors like how long the marriage lasted, each person's income and earning ability, and their age and health. Alimony is different from child support, which is specifically for children's needs.
Read the full Alimony entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.