Dedicated Annapolis Attorneys Exploring Alimony/Spousal Support In Divorce Agreements
Last updated on January 12, 2026
Alimony or spousal support refers to payments from one former spouse to another during or after a divorce to help sustain a reasonable standard of living and narrow financial disparities resulting from the separation. The duration, whether temporary or ongoing, depends on factors including, but not limited to, the length of the marriage, each spouse’s monetary and nonmonetary contributions to the marriage, the parties’ income disparities and the lifestyle achieved by the parties during the marriage. Alimony often aims ease the financial strain for a lower-earning spouse. Courts assess each case individually to ensure equitable support arrangements.
Income gaps, personal requirements and fairness determine whether one spouse receives support in a divorce. In Maryland, equal rights laws permit either spouse to provide or receive these payments, promoting fairness. Courts aim to address financial needs, ensuring stability for daily expenses or significant life changes. Alimony may be rehabilitative, supporting an achievement of self-sufficiency over a defined duration or indefinite, for long-term needs and lifestyle maintenance over an undefined duration.
When Is Alimony/Spousal Support Paid?
Alimony or spousal support is not an issue in every divorce, but it is a crucial issue for some. When one spouse has a steady income and the other does not, or there is a significant disparity in the incomes and standards of living of the parties, the two sides must either come to an agreement or have the court make that decision for them. At Reinstein, Glackin & Herriott, LLC, we assist clients in Annapolis in seeking an alimony agreement or decision that advances their best interests.
Under Maryland’s equal rights amendment, either spouse may be asked to pay alimony, up until the divorce, as well as afterward. There are three kinds of alimony/spousal support in Maryland:
- Alimony pendente lite: This is an award of temporary support for the period between filing for divorce and the issuance of the divorce decree.
- Indefinite alimony: This support is awarded without a predetermined end date and is typically granted when the recipient cannot make reasonable progress toward becoming self-supporting due to age, illness, infirmity or disability, or if, even after becoming self-supporting, there is an unconscionable disparity in the standards of living between the parties.
- Rehabilitative alimony: This is the most common form of alimony payment. It is given for a limited time to help the person gain or improve skills, education or income needed to support themselves independently.
Alimony/spousal support is a complex process that cannot be explained in a single page. Our skilled attorneys have successfully resolved many alimony/spousal support issues in divorce cases across the state of Maryland. We invite you to call our firm, Reinstein, Glackin & Herriott, LLC today to discuss your situation and other lingering concerns in full confidentiality.
How Is Alimony Calculated In Maryland?
Under the Maryland Family Law Code, the amount, type and duration of alimony are based on several factors, including:
- Length of marriage
- Each spouse’s age and health
- Each spouse’s finances and needs
- Each spouse’s monetary and nonmonetary contributions
- Any disparity in the incomes and earning potentials of the parties
- The standard of living achieved by the parties during the marriage
The courts will also consider the paying spouse’s ability to meet their needs while providing support and the receiving spouse’s ability to support themselves.
Depending on your case’s specific circumstances, our team of highly innovative and compassionate Annapolis alimony attorneys can go through all relevant information and advise you on what you can expect from a possible negotiation of your and your spouse’s alimony issue.
Can Alimony Payments Be Changed Or Stopped?
While alimony durations vary depending on the uniqueness of each case, a paying spouse may request the court for a modification or termination of their alimony obligation. Three common reasons for this include:
- A substantial and material change in circumstances: An alimony order may be updated when the paying spouse experiences an involuntary change in their life, such as a disability or a job loss.
- A remarriage: An alimony order is stopped when the receiving spouse remarries.
- A death: An alimony order is stopped when either spouse passes away.
However, there are also cases where alimony payments cannot be modified, such as a court-approved “marital settlement agreement” that includes a clause about a nonmodifiable alimony arrangement. Since this was part of the final divorce decree, it will become a binding obligation.
For Any Concerns Regarding Your Spousal Support, You Can Turn To Us
Whether you have questions about how your alimony may be calculated or how it can affect your finances after your divorce, our award-winning Annapolis alimony lawyers at Reinstein, Glackin & Herriott, LLC, can sit down with you, attend to your concerns and guide you through the process.
Contact our Maryland office today at 301-850-7349 or message us to schedule your initial consultation.