Atlanta Spousal Support & Alimony Lawyers

Spousal Support vs. Alimony in Georgia

"Spousal support" and "alimony" are used interchangeably in Georgia. Both refer to financial payments made by one spouse to the other after separation or divorce. The purpose is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living that is reasonably close to what was enjoyed during the marriage, or to provide support during a transitional period.

Spousal support is not guaranteed and is determined based on various factors. Depending on the circumstances, it can be temporary or long-term.

Spousal support can be agreed upon by the parties in a negotiated settlement or ordered by the court as part of a divorce decree. In some cases, temporary support may also be awarded while a divorce is pending, to help cover living expenses until the case's final resolution.

To request support, a spouse must petition the court or include the request in the divorce proceedings. The burden is on the requesting spouse to demonstrate the need for support and the other spouse’s ability to pay.

Types of Alimony in Georgia

Georgia recognizes several types of alimony, including:

• Temporary – Awarded during the divorce process to support a spouse until the case is resolved.
• Rehabilitative – Short-term support that helps the recipient become self-sufficient, often through education or job training.
• Permanent – Ongoing support that may not be unlimited, awarded after long-term marriages, typically when one spouse is unlikely to become self-supporting.
• Lump-sum – A fixed amount paid in a single payment or installments, rather than ongoing monthly payments.