The court may grant alimony to either the husband or the wife. Rehabilitative alimony may be for a limited period of time to assist in redeveloping skills and financial independence. Permanent alimony continues until the receiving spouse's remarriage or the death of either party. The court may grant some combination of the two. Also the court may order through lump-sum alimony one party to pay the other party a lump-sum payment of money or property.

The obligation of spouses to support each other does not necessarily terminate when they divorce. If the divorce will leave one spouse with very little income and the other with enough to contribute to the low-income spouse's support, the court will usually award alimony, at least temporarily. Although historically spousal maintenance was typically awarded to homemaker wives, to be paid by breadwinning husbands, that is no longer always the case.

There are basically two types of alimony. Rehabilitative alimony is designed for short, definite periods of time, usually to help a spouse get back into the job market. In certain cases, because of age or disability, a court has the right to award alimony indefinitely.

Interim" spousal support. This is based on your needs, the ability of your spouse to pay, and the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage. Interim support ends 180 days after the divorce. Permanent spousal support. You can only get this if you were free from fault before filing for divorce. A judge will look at you and your spouse's needs, income, means, health and earning capacity; how long your marriage lasted; and other things. These issues are not simple.

Spousal support, otherwise known as "alimony", is not required in all cases in most states, but should be considered and may even be ordered by the judge under certain circumstances. If the circumstances are such that a spouse will face hardships if he or she does not receive financial support, than spousal support should be considered. The deciding factor regarding spousal support is the need to maintain the spouse at his or her customary standard of living.

Alimony or maintenance payments are not affected by bankruptcy. These payments must be kept up-to-date. Alimony or maintenance payments are not affected by bankruptcy. These payments must be kept up-to-date. A bankruptcy does not stop any actions for collection. Also, if you have alimony or maintenance arrears outstanding when you file for bankruptcy, your vehicle exemption limit is reduced from $5,000 to $2,000.

In a long term marriage where there is a great difference between the earning abilities or financial positions of the parties and one party needs assistance to maintain their lifestyle and the other party has the ability to give that assistance, permanent alimony can be awarded. There is also rehabilitative alimony.

The judge will decide these and other issues after hearing what is said in court. The final decision will depend on the testimony which is given in court. The court may also award rehabilitative or reimbursement alimony. Rehabilitative alimony is paid only for a limited period of time and is designed to help a spouse receive training or further education. Your lawyer will help you to make your needs and wishes clear to the judge.

Alimony is awarded when there is a need by one party for financial assistance and financial ability on the part of the other party to assist. In general, the longer the term of the marriage and the bigger the difference in earning capabilities of the parties, the more chance for an award of permanent alimony.

Alimony, as opposed to child support calculated pursuant to the Guidelines, is not as definitive and is based on a number of statutory factors. In N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(b), New Jersey's alimony Statute provides: In all actions brought far divorce, divorce from bed and board, or nullity the, court may award one or more of the following types of alimony: permanent alimony; rehabilitative alimony; limited duration alimony or reimbursement alimony to either party.