What is Maintenance?

Formerly known as “alimony,” maintenance is financial support given by one spouse to another which is paid as a result of divorce or legal separation. The length of maintenance may be a set length of time or may be permanent subject to a future change. The amount of maintenance may be contractual and non-modifiable or subject the future modification. Maintenance may terminate upon remarriage of the receiving party, death, or upon a change in circumstances. The receipt of maintenance is not guaranteed. The duration, amount, and terms of maintenance vary from case to case.