Spousal Support in Ohio
State-specific overview · Family Law
Ohio courts award spousal support based on statutory factors with no formula, and may award it for a defined or indefinite term.
How Ohio treats Spousal Support
Ohio law permits courts to award spousal support (called "alimony") during divorce proceedings and as part of the final decree. The court considers factors such as the length of the marriage, age and health of each spouse, earning capacity, education, standard of living, and contributions to the marriage. Ohio courts may award support for a fixed term, indefinitely, or until the occurrence of a specified event (such as remarriage or cohabitation). Support terminates upon the death of either party, the recipient's remarriage, or as specified in the court order.
The general definition of Spousal Support
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another, typically during or after divorce proceedings.
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, is money one spouse pays to the other to help with living expenses during or after a divorce. It recognizes that one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage or may have lower earning potential. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and their age and health when determining if support is appropriate and how much to award. Spousal support can be temporary (lasting only during the divorce process) or permanent (continuing indefinitely or for a set period).
Read the full Spousal Support 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 Ohio.