alimony definition
Historical Examples. 1  Where paternity is established the father is liable for support (or alimony). 2  The next turn went on, and all went as merry as an alimony bell. 3  A voluntary separation, with alimony on one side and on the other. 4  A voluntary separation, with alimony on one side and on the other! alimony. 1  Law. an allowance paid to a person by that person's spouse or former spouse for maintenance, granted by a court upon a legal separation or a divorce or while action is pending. 2  supply of the means of living; maintenance. Alimony is the only means available to the court to avoid a potentially unjust division of assets. The judge in this case may award alimony or may award a token amount—such as $1 a year—so that the wife has the option to request an increase later on (modifying an award is easier than winning one after the divorce). Alimony definition, Law. an allowance paid to a person by that person's spouse or former spouse for maintenance, granted by a court upon a legal separation or a divorce or while action is pending. See more. Word Origin and History for alimony Expand n. 1650s, nourishment, also allowance to a wife from a husband's estate, or in certain cases of separation, from Latin alimonia food, support, nourishment, sustenance, from alere to nourish (see old) + -monia suffix signifying action, state, condition (cognate with Greek -men). Failure to pay ordered alimony can result in contempt of court citations and even jail time. The level of alimony can be determined by written agreement and submitted to the court for a stipulated order. Income tax-wise, alimony is deductible as an expense for the payer and charged as income to the recipient. Child support is not alimony. Law. an allowance paid to a person by that person's spouse or former spouse for maintenance, granted by a court upon a legal separation or a divorce or while action is pending. supply of the means of living; maintenance. 3. In Louisiana by alimony is meant the nourishment, lodging and support of the person who claims it. It includes education when the person to whom alimony is due is a minor. Civil Code of L. 246. 4. Alimony is granted in proportion to the wants of the person requiring it, and the circumstances of those who are to pay it. Since alimony is an award for support and maintenance that one spouse may be compelled to pay to another after dissolution of the marriage, it would seem to follow that no alimony could be awarded to a spouse following an Annulment, which treats the marriage relationship as if it had never existed. Alimony usually ends when the recipient remarries; this is known as terminable alimony. In the case of the recipient's remarriage, the payer sometimes must return to court to have the court change the alimony order, but often the termination is automatic.
The definition of Alimony is an allowance paid to a person by that person's spouse or former spouse for maintenance, granted by a court upon a legal separation or a divorce or while action is pending.