Alimony which may also be referred to as spousal support are payments made from one spouse (or ex-spouse) to another for their support.
In Georgia, alimony is not a right, but it can be appropriate in certain situations and awarded over time or in one lump sum after a divorce settlement. The award of alimony will not be solely based on the needs of one spouse, but also the ability of the other spouse to pay alimony.
When determining whether alimony is to be awarded, courts may consider a number of things, including:
One spouses’ ability to pay
The standard of living enjoyed by the couple
The dependent spouse’s ability to secure employment
Whether the requesting spouse worked during the marriage
How long the marriage lasted
The income, assets and debts of each spouse
The earning potential of each spouse
The age of each spouse at the end of the divorce
Marital fault
Georgia’s two types of alimony are permanent and temporary. Each type of alimony may be paid in periodic (weekly/monthly) or lump sum payments.
