[header] How to determine alimony [title] Understand what alimony is. [step] Alimony, also called separate maintenance or spousal support, is money paid during a divorce or legal separation outside of the property settlement. The payments, either periodic or in a lump sum, are paid to the dependent spouse from the supporting spouse. 
[substeps] Alimony varies by state, but falls into some general categories. Rehabilitative alimony is intended to help a spouse get established.