When is alimony awarded in a divorce?

Either a petitioning or responding party can request spousal support, also known as alimony. These payments can be ordered while the divorce proceeding is pending and after the marriage has been dissolved. There are three types of post-divorce spousal support that can be granted to someone who has relied on their ex-spouse for their financial needs. Mostly commonly, a judge will award periodic alimony for the amount of time it should take for the recipient party to establish their ability to support themselves, while permanent alimony typically is reserved for people who are unlikely or unable to secure sufficient income due to their age, health or special child-care responsibilities. Or instead of repeating payments, the parties can agree, or the court can direct, that the entire alimony obligation be provided in a lump sum.