What is Spousal Support?

In some cases, a party may ask the court to award spousal support. This is a financial contribution by one spouse to the other. In order to obtain such an award, the claiming spouse must prove that he or she is entitled to this support and that he or she is in need of it. The purpose of spousal support is to recognize the recipient spouse's contribution to the marriage and the economic consequences of it, share the economic burden of the child support, and assist that spouse to achieve financial independence where possible. Unlike child support, spousal support remains taxable in the hands of the recipient and deductible by the payor.