Alimony, spousal support, spousal maintenance, or domestic partner support (collectively, spousal support) is generally financial support in the form of periodic payments (usually monthly) paid by one spouse or domestic partner to the other spouse or domestic partner upon divorce.

The person paying spousal support or the person receiving spousal support may seek to modify the court’s order for support—usually by increasing it or decreasing it—due to a material change in circumstances of the person paying support or the person receiving support.

Spousal support laws vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the family or domestic code.

In Washington State, spousal support, also known as spousal maintenance, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other following a divorce or legal separation. The purpose of spousal maintenance is to help the receiving spouse maintain a standard of living close to that enjoyed during the marriage, especially if there is a significant disparity in earning capacity between the spouses. Washington courts consider several factors when determining the amount and duration of spousal maintenance, including the duration of the marriage, the financial resources and needs of each spouse, the age and health of the spouses, and their employment prospects. Either party can request a modification of the spousal maintenance order if there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, employment status, or health. These modifications are not automatic and must be approved by the court. The relevant statutes governing spousal maintenance in Washington can be found in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), particularly in Title 26, which pertains to domestic relations.