Divorce Spousal Support and Alimony

Question 1

What is 'alimony' in a divorce?

Accepted Answer

Financial support paid by one ex-spouse to the other after divorce

Answer

Child support payments

Answer

A court fee for filing divorce papers

Answer

Payment for shared marital debts

Question 2

What is 'rehabilitative alimony'?

Accepted Answer

Temporary support intended to help a spouse become financially self-sufficient

Answer

Permanent monthly payments to an ex-spouse

Answer

Alimony paid in one lump sum

Answer

Support paid only to cover medical expenses

Question 3

What is 'permanent alimony'?

Accepted Answer

Long-term spousal support with no set end date, typically in long marriages

Answer

Alimony paid forever with no possibility of modification

Answer

A one-time payment made at divorce

Answer

Alimony that automatically adjusts with inflation

Question 4

What typically terminates a spousal support obligation?

Accepted Answer

The receiving spouse remarrying or cohabiting with a new partner

Answer

The paying spouse getting a new job

Answer

The couple's children turning 18

Answer

Five years passing from the divorce date

Question 5

How does the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 affect alimony payments for divorces finalized after December 31, 2018?

Accepted Answer

Alimony is no longer deductible for the payer and not taxable income for the recipient

Answer

Alimony became tax-free for the paying spouse and deductible for the recipient

Answer

Alimony tax rules remained unchanged

Answer

Alimony payments must now be reported as business income

Question 6

What is 'reimbursement alimony'?

Accepted Answer

Support paid to compensate a spouse who supported the other through education or career advancement

Answer

Alimony paid to cover legal fees

Answer

A refund of overpaid alimony

Answer

Support based on the length of the marriage only