Attorney Publication At the end of a marriage Learn how to protect your | Page 7

What You Need to Know about
Spousal Support
• A Brief History
• The history of spousal support dates back to The Code of Hammurabi, from 1754 B.C.
This code states that a man who wishes to separate from his wife should pay the woman
who has borne his children a maintenance amount in order for her to be able to raise the
children.
• The contemporary idea of alimony in England is a product of the English ecclesiastical
courts, in that alimony is awarded following proceedings of legal separation or divorce.
Alimony pendent life is something that a husband is ordered to pay until the divorce is
granted. This ensures that the husband continues to provide financial support for the
wife for as long as the marriage continues. Alimony is awarded based on the knowledge
that the marriage is continuing; that divorce did not end the marriage and the husband
was still responsible to support his wife.
• When the proceedings for the dissolution of a marriage have begun, it is the right of
either party to seek alimony support payments throughout the course of a litigation trial.
If the parties involved do not make it known in writing what the monetary alimony
obligation will be, the court makes a decision as to the amount based on monetary
evidence provided by both parties.