Spousal support is a part of family law that is addressed during divorce proceedings. Thus, the issue of spousal support is usually discussed during divorce lawyer consultations.

Also known as alimony or maintenance, spousal support transfers money or assets from one spouse to another. Usually the spouse with higher income assists the other while he or she searches for a job, obtains higher education, or otherwise attempts to support him- or herself. The payments help this receiving spouse maintain the same lifestyle during and just after the divorce.

Payments are scaled according to the pre-divorce lifestyle and combined income of the parties. Payments can be adjusted or canceled if the giving partys financial situation change, e.g., he or she loses a job, or if the receiving partys financial situation changes or if he or she remarries.

Spousal support payments are typically arranged through the court with the assistance of a qualified divorce attorney.