What is Alimony
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is awarded to a party if the party has a need that is rationally connected to the marriage and the other party has the ability to pay.  This is most often granted when one spouse makes significantly more than the other and the spouse making lesser money has relied on the other spouse during the marriage.  If the court determines that alimony should be granted, the court will consider both the amount that will be awarded and the duration of the payments.  In determining the specific amount to be awarded, the court will look at numerous factors including: the recipient's accustomed standard of living during the length of the marriage, the amount of marital property awarded to the parties, the paying party's age and future earning capacity, and the recipient's health, employment and earning capacity.

Can alimony be modified later?
An award of support alimony is modifiable on showing a permanent, substantial change of circumstances affecting either the need of the recipient spouse or the ability of the other spouse to pay. Additionally, voluntary cohabitation of the recipient spouse with a member of the opposite sex in a sexual relationship without marriage is a ground to modify or terminate support payment if there is a substantial change of circumstances affecting the need of the recipient spouse or the ability of the other spouse to pay.