Alimony

Alimony, also called aliment in Scotland and spousal support or spousal maintenance in Australia, is a legal obligation requiring a person to provide financial support to their spouse before or after a marital separation or divorce. The scope of the obligation varies with the divorce law or family law of the country involved, and can be shaped by a prenuptial agreement. In most jurisdictions alimony is treated as legally distinct from child support, under which one parent is instead required to contribute money toward the upbringing of the couple's children, paid to the child's other parent or guardian.