“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

~ Mark Twain

Maybe you’re reading this because your divorced friend said she didn’t get alimony, or you heard something on the news about limitations or the elimination of spousal support. Maybe you assume that because you have a job or a college degree you would never qualify for alimony. Leave those assumptions behind as we explore your options.

While alimony has served as a comedic punchline for decades and many famous men have loudly lamented paying it, spousal support is no joke. Despite the bad press alimony can sometimes receive, it still has an important purpose in the lives of families and in communities. Alimony was initially intended to serve as a safety net for divorcing women who traditionally stayed home and didn’t work. While employment opportunities for women have improved in recent decades, alimony can still be relevant and necessary in this day and age.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of married American women work outside the home. Many women hold part-time jobs to allow them to meet obligations like childcare, eldercare, and other household responsibilities delegated to them. Many individuals may lose opportunities to advance their careers if they have had to move or take on more household responsibilities to accommodate their spouse’s job. These can be situations when alimony is appropriate.

Alimony Considerations:

It’s a Matter of Time – How long were you married and how did your marriage impact your career?

The length of your marriage matters for alimony. Your earnings potential will typically be impacted by the amount of time you spent outside of the workforce or limiting your career growth to attend to your household. This impact can include past or present elder and childcare.

Will I Have to Pay Alimony to My Ex-Husband? – If you financially supported your spouse during your marriage, did they reciprocate with household support? 

Alimony laws are written to be non-gender specific; that is, both men and women can be eligible for alimony. However, in practice, many working women still take on significant or even primary roles in their children’s lives and the home. In cases like these, alimony for the non-working spouse tends to be less common. 

Prenups are Imperfect – Do you have a prenup? How is your life as a couple – and as individuals – different from when you originally signed the document?

The terms of prenuptial agreements can vary wildly and do not necessarily preclude you from receiving alimony – especially if you need temporary training to rejoin the workforce. Your own career circumstances may have changed radically over the course of your marriage and look very different now compared to your career and earning potential at time you signed the prenup. Always consult with an attorney to review the terms of a prenup before signing one and during a divorce.

What now? 

Make no assumptions about your eligibility for alimony. The outcome of your divorce may result in temporary or permanent alimony based on your location, your age, the length of your marriage, and what educational retraining or financial resources you will require to ultimately establish your own independent household.



Reflect on these issues relative to your earning potential to prepare for conversations with your attorney. While laws vary by state, you owe it to yourself to pursue appropriate compensation according to your marital contributions.