Alimony is a payment from one spouse to the other for continued financial support after the end of a marriage. The court does not always grant these payments in every case.
According to the Rhode Island Bar Association, the court may determine you should receive alimony depending on your situation. The court wants to see that after your divorce, you both can support yourselves. It will consider many factors when making the final decision about awarding alimony to ensure fairness and to make sure one spouse does not end up in a situation where he or she cannot afford standard living expenses. Whoever is the high earner in the marriage is the one who will make payments to the other spouse. It can award either short- or long-term payments.
Short term
Short term or rehabilitative alimony is typical in a situation where you need to get back into the workforce. Perhaps you stayed at home with the children or you simply did not work during your marriage. If this is the case, the court may award this alimony for a reasonable time in which you can gain the training or education you need to get a job and adequately support yourself.
Long term
Long term alimony is more common in cases where there is a disability or for older individuals. The court will consider age as a factor and whether that affects your ability to secure employment and make a living. It also will include any disabilities you may have in its considerations. Long term alimony may last until you or your spouse passes away or until you remarry, but the court may also set a time limit for the payments.
