spousal support

spousal support

n. payment for support of an ex-spouse (or a spouse while a divorce is pending) ordered by the court. More commonly called alimony, spousal support is the term used in California and a few other states as part of new non-confrontational language (such as "dissolution" instead of "divorce") now used since divorce is "no-fault" in all states but two. (See: alimony, divorce)

Copyright © 1981-2005 by Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill. All Right reserved.

spousal support

see ALIMONY.

Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006