Spousal support is the right of one spouse to receive an award of money from the other spouse, on a temporary or permanent basis, whenever a court determines that the facts of that particular situation warrant it. In Georgia, the statutes and the courts refer to such spousal support as alimony. No one is entitled to alimony by virtue of marriage alone. The court may grant alimony to either spouse from the income or estate of the other, either as periodic payments or lump sum awards. It may end at the death or remarriage of the recipient, or it may end sooner by the specific terms of the Final Decree or Judgment. Alimony may also be awarded on a temporary basis during the pendency of the divorce action.

Alimony awarded prior to the divorce is called pendente lite alimony. It is taxable income to the recipient and tax deductible to the payor.


At the time of the divorce if alimony is awarded it can be one or a combination of the following:

1. Permanent: This type of alimony is to be paid until either the death of the payor of the remarriage of the recipient. Some agreements may include a "cohabitation" clause that states alimony ends when the recipient cohabits with another person in the avoidance of marriage.
2. Lump sum: This type of alimony is one payment of alimony instead of periodic (usually weekly or monthly) payments. Lump sum alimony just like all other alimony is taxable, so be sure to consult with a CPA experienced in divorce to determine the tax consequences of this type of payment prior to agreeing to it.
3. Temporary: This type of alimony lasts for a specific period of time, usually one to two years. This type of alimony may be awarded when the persons involved are on almost equal ground but due to certain circumstances one person may need financial assistance in order to "get on their feet".
4. Rehabilitative: This type of alimony is the most commonly awarded alimony. It is awarded in a situation where the recipient is younger, or able to eventually enter or return to the workforce and become financially self supporting. Rehabilitative alimony may include payments for the education necessary to enable the recipient to become self supporting.

Keep in mind that if you are awarded any type of alimony it will cease upon death of the payor. It is a good idea to include a life and disability insurance policies in an amount sufficient to replace the alimony. Because you have an insurable interest in the person being insured you are able to buy the policy yourself. This could be money well spent in the event that life and disability insurance are not part of your agreement

There are no guidelines for determining alimony, but it is based upon the determination of the trier of fact of the needs of one party and the ability to pay of the other party. Some of the factors that the court may consider in determining first if alimony is appropriate, and then in what amount, are as follows:

• The standard of living to which the parties have become accustomed during the marriage
• The income and financial status of each party
• The future earning capacity of each party
• The separate assets of each party
• The non-economic contributions to the marriage by either spouse, such as child care, homemaking, career building
• The conduct of the parties toward each other during the marriage

The court may consider additional factors in determining how long to continue the alimony payments. Such factors may be:

• The time that the receiving spouse may need to improve earning capacity through training or education
• The duration of the marriage
• The allocation of retirement In addition to determining the amount of alimony, the court may benefits

A party who might otherwise be entitled to alimony may lose that entitlement if the facts show that the adultery or desertion of that party was the cause of the separation of the parties. However, alimony may be awarded at a temporary hearing without regard to these issues. A temporary hearing is intended to maintain the status quo between the parties, to the extent possible. Since fault issues are only determined at a final trial, they would not be relevant at the temporary hearing.

Either party may choose to have a jury trial on the permanent determination of this issue. Unless the parties specifically waive modification of alimony, it can be modified later if it is determined that there is a substantial change in circumstances warranting a modification of support. However, such modification can only be of the amount of periodic support, and not to the length of time that it is paid. Lump sum alimony is not subject to modification. If the alimony award states that it is payable until death or remarriage of the receiving spouse, it may also be terminated if a court determines that the receiving spouse is living in a meretricious relationship, even though not legally married. Either party may also choose to have a jury trial on any action for modification