Alimony

Alimony in Maryland can be classified in one of two ways:

• Rehabilitative alimony: This form of spousal support is intended as a short-term measure to give the recipient spouse time to pursue education or training to eventually become self-supporting.
• Indefinite alimony: This form of spousal support is typically awarded to a spouse who is older or unable to provide for himself or herself due to disability or illness. Less often, indefinite alimony can be awarded when there will be a substantial difference between the two spouses’ standard of living after the divorce. Indefinite alimony payments are long-term and will continue until the death of either spouse or it is modified or terminated by a court.

Courts in Maryland look at 12 statutorily defined factors to determine which spouse can receive alimony and what amount he or she will be entitled to. Among the factors a judge will consider are:

• Length of the marriage
• Cause of the spouses’ estrangement
• Ages of the spouses
• Ability of the spouse seeking alimony to be self-supporting
• Ability of the paying spouse to meet his or her own needs while supporting the recipient spouse
• The financial needs and resources of both spouses