Alimony is court-ordered support paid to a spouse after divorce or separation. It can be stopped by obtaining a substitute court order or changing the terms of the original decree. Laws vary by jurisdiction.
Alimony, sometimes referred to as spousal support, is paid to a spouse based on a court order following a divorce or legal separation. It is intended to provide support for a spouse and should not be confused with child support, which is intended for the support and care of minor children. The most common way to stop alimony payments is to go back to court and request a change to the original order. The change can be made with the agreement of the parties or upon opposition of the spouse receiving maintenance if the court approves the change. In some cases, alimony payments automatically stop after a certain period of time or upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
Once the court enters a decree or agreement regarding the payment of alimony, all terms in it are considered court orders. The only way to stop alimony payments once they’ve been ordered, then, is to obtain a substitute court order or interim writ that automatically ends the alimony obligation. Many decrees or agreements anticipate situations in which alimony will no longer be needed, such as remarriage by the recipient or the recipient receiving a college degree.
To stop alimony by changing the terms of the original decree or agreement, each party must file a motion to change it with the original court. Most courts require the party requesting the change to demonstrate a change in circumstances before changing the original decree or agreement to stop paying alimony. The court usually orders a hearing on the matter where both parties will be allowed to present evidence and arguments related to the change. If the judge is satisfied that circumstances have changed, making spousal support unnecessary, he will grant the change and suspend the alimony payments. If the recipient agrees with the request to withhold alimony, a joint motion may be filed with an agreed entry that simply needs to be signed by the judge to become effective.
Keep in mind that laws regarding alimony payments vary by jurisdiction. In the United States, in states that recognize a spousal alimony, the divorce decree or separation agreement will dictate the amount and terms of payments. In most European countries, foods are treated in much the same way as in the United States. Other cultures, however, have historically frowned upon divorce in general and therefore alimony is not common. In Middle Eastern and Asian countries, laws are changing to allow a woman to initiate a divorce; however, even when food is ordered, it is often only for a short time and often the order is ignored altogether.
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