Alimony also called spousal support, is money one spouse may pay to the other after divorce to help maintain a reasonably similar standard of living that the couple enjoyed during the marriage. It is separate from child support.

New Jersey judges consider many factors, including each spouse’s financial needs and ability to pay, the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, and the parties’ earning capacity and health.

Courts may order different types of support: temporary (during divorce), limited duration, open durational (for long‑term marriages), rehabilitative (to help someone become self‑supporting), or reimbursement alimony (to repay contributions).

If a marriage lasted less than 20 years, alimony generally cannot run longer than the length of the marriage. For marriages of 20+ years, open durational alimony may be ordered without a set end date, though there’s a presumption it will end when the paying spouse reaches full retirement age unless circumstances justify otherwise.

Yes, either spouse can ask the court to modify or end alimony if there’s a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant loss of income, retirement, or if the receiving spouse remarries or enters a new partnership.

No. Alimony isn’t awarded in every case. If both spouses have similar incomes and financial independence, a judge may decide support isn’t needed. The court’s award is based on fairness and each spouse’s circumstances.