There is no set period of time that one can expect to continue to receive alimony. Just as an award can come in many forms, it can last for any period of time. It can even be waived by the spouses altogether (if that occurs, get it in writing). Generally, spousal support payments are ordered for the time period that the supported spouse needs to become self-supportive.
Permanent Support - Permanent support awards a spouse an amount for any period of time the court deems just and reasonable. Sometimes the supported spouse is elderly, disabled, incapacitated, or has pre-school children. The court might deem these personal details to be sufficient to prevent the spouse from obtaining a career. In such a case, spousal support/alimony could be "permanent." So how long is that? There is no set time period.
Rehabilitative Alimony - Relatively short-term support that is intended to allow the recipient to get back on his or her feet and become self-supporting is called rehabilitative. It may include payments for education or training courses that will help in obtaining marketable job skills. Courts have to consider the need for child care, too, during such a skill-building period.
If there was a long-term marriage (in California, for example, a marriage of ten years or more), a court may have continuing jurisdiction over the issue of spousal support. With continuing jurisdiction, a court may change the amount or duration of alimony payments from one spouse to the other any time there is a material change in circumstances.
Lump-sum Alimony - As stated earlier, lump sum alimony can be awarded as one sum or as a fixed amount paid out in installments. See our discussion under "Alimony: When?...Up Front v. Over Time".
Finally, alimony terminates upon the death or remarriage of the supported spouse. Some states cut all alimony payments when the payee moves in with a new love companion.
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