In Mississippi, when you divorce, one of the questions you might face is that of alimony. Alimony primarily exists to prevent significant economic hardship for the spouse who might face financial difficulty after the divorce. It recognizes that during the marriage, both partners made contributions, including the possibility of one sacrificing their career for home management or child-rearing, deserving monetary support when the union dissolves.
Understanding the different types of alimony Mississippi law recognizes will guide you in knowing what to expect or request in your divorce proceedings.
Periodic Alimony
Also known as permanent alimony, periodic alimony involves the payer providing the recipient with regular payments. These payments continue until the recipient remarries, either party dies or the court orders otherwise. It aims to maintain the recipient spouse’s standard of living like that during the marriage.
Lump-Sum Alimony
Lump-sum alimony consists of a set amount, payable either in one sum or installments. Unlike periodic alimony, it does not end upon the recipient’s remarriage or the payer’s death. Once a court orders lump-sum alimony, it is non-modifiable, meaning the amount does not change, regardless of circumstances.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Rehabilitative alimony is for a spouse who needs financial help while acquiring education or training for job skills. It is temporary and typically only lasts for the educational or training period. Its goal is to aid the recipient in becoming self-sufficient.
Reimbursement Alimony
The court grants reimbursement alimony when one spouse needs to repay the other for investments they made in their career or education. For example, if you helped put your spouse through medical school, you might receive reimbursement alimony as compensation.
Knowing what type of alimony applies to your situation can help ease your financial transition after a divorce. Mississippi law takes into account several factors when awarding alimony, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and expenses and each spouse’s health and age.
