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Legal Information: Michigan

Divorce

Updated: 
March 27, 2024

Can I get alimony? What factors will a judge consider?

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial support paid by, or to, your spouse. In Michigan, if the property awarded to you through your divorce or through a separate maintenance order is not enough to support you or any children of the marriage in your custody, the judge may order your spouse to pay you spousal support. The judge will consider the ability of your spouse to pay and will also consider the character, situations, and circumstances of you and your spouse when deciding what amount of support is fair and reasonable.1

The judge may award you support if it is necessary to help you keep your property and help you continue or defend your action for divorce. The judge may order your spouse to pay your court fees or the fees may be paid from your spouse’s property. Your alimony may stop if you remarry unless you have an agreement that says otherwise included in your divorce decree. If the judge ends your support, it will not affect the payments that are owed to you (accrued) before the judge terminated your order.2

1 M.C.L. § 552.23(1)
2 M.C.L. § 552.13