• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Raleigh-Divorce-Lawyers.com

Building Lifelong Relationships... One Client at a Time.

  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Read This First
    • Do you need a divorce lawyer?
    • What to Do if Your Spouse Won’t Leave
    • The Truth about Divorce in North Carolina
    • What is a Legal Separation?
    • Initial Consult Questions
    • The Cost of Divorce
    • Therapists We Recommend
    • NC Family Law Blog
  • Services
    • Initial Assessment
    • Separation Agreements
    • Divorce Mediation
    • Absolute Divorce
    • Alimony in NC
    • Property Division
    • Child Custody
    • Child Support
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Divorce from Bed and Board
  • Client Portal
  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Read This First
    • Do you need a divorce lawyer?
    • What to Do if Your Spouse Won’t Leave
    • The Truth about Divorce in North Carolina
    • What is a Legal Separation?
    • Initial Consult Questions
    • The Cost of Divorce
    • Therapists We Recommend
    • NC Family Law Blog
  • Services
    • Initial Assessment
    • Separation Agreements
    • Divorce Mediation
    • Absolute Divorce
    • Alimony in NC
    • Property Division
    • Child Custody
    • Child Support
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Divorce from Bed and Board
  • Client Portal
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Services
  • Client Portal

NC Spousal Support (aka Alimony)

You are here: Home / NC Divorce Laws / NC Spousal Support (aka Alimony)
nc spousal support alimony

The payment of alimony in North Carolina is governed by statute and case law.  Because North Carolina follows the partnership theory of marriage, the obligation to pay alimony is based on the premise that both spouses have an obligation to support each other financially during the marriage.  Alimony, or spousal support, is the extension of this obligation after the parties have divorced.

Marital miscounduct can have a profound impact on your ability to receive, or obligation to pay, spousal support.  If infidelity is at issue in your case, click here to read about the potential implications.

Different Terms for Alimony

Alimony is a general term that refers to the order for payment of the support and maintenance of a spouse or former spouse.  Alimony can be paid in periodic payments or in a lump sum payment, and may be for a specified period or for an indefinite term.  Spousal support is the equivalent of alimony.

Post-separation Support is spousal support that is paid after the parties have separated until the earlier of any of the following:  1) The date specified in the order for post-separation support; 2) The entry of an order awarding or denying alimony; 3) The dismissal of an alimony claim; 4) The entry of a judgment of absolute divorce if no claim of alimony is pending at the time of entry of the judgment of absolute divorce; or 5) The dependent spouse remarries or cohabitates, or either the payor spouse or dependent spouse dies.

When is Alimony Awarded in North Carolina?

For a court to determine that an award of alimony is appropriate, a two step analysis must be performed.  First, the court must make a preliminary finding that there is a dependent spouse and a supporting spouse.  Next, the court must look to the statutory factors to determine whether an award of alimony is equitable after considering all the relevant factors.

This is just a preliminary overview of alimony in North Carolina. For a more in-depth understanding of alimony and how it works, please review our Ultimate Guide to Alimony in NC.

Because alimony may entail large sums of money or the transfer of substantial wealth, legal representation to protect your rights will be a good investment. Additionally, if you believe that you have assets that may be subject to litigation in a dissolution of marriage (divorce) proceeding, you are again reminded that obtaining legal counsel in these complicated issues may be worth the effort and the money.  Contact Cary Divorce Attorney James Hart to schedule a divorce assessment.

Primary Sidebar

Next Steps Divorce Book
NC Divorce Lawyer
  • NC Divorce Laws
  • Alimony
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody
  • Collaborative Divorce
  • Uncontested Divorce
  • Legal Separation
  • Absolute Divorce
  • Equitable Distribution
  • Separation Agreements

About Our Firm

The Hart Law Firm, P.A. was originally founded in 2005 as a divorce and family law firm in Orlando, Florida. We moved to North Carolina in 2010, and now work with families to help them navigate the process of separation and divorce.

The Hart Law Firm is conveniently located in Cary, NC. We provide services throughout North Carolina’s Triangle area including Raleigh, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Morrisville, Durham, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Wake Forest, Wake County, Durham County, Orange County and other nearby cities and towns.

Next Steps Divorce Book
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Services
  • Client Portal

Copyright © 2023 Raleigh-divorce-lawyers.com · All Rights Reserved