SPOUSAL
MAINTENANCE

(formerly known as "Alimony")

The obligation of payment of maintenance by one spouse to another is generally determined by the length of the marriage, or used as a tool to equalize the division of property and debts in the marriage. 

In the past, maintenance has traditionally been paid by the husband to the wife, but it can also be paid by the wife to the husband.

Other than to equalize a division of property and debts, maintenance is generally not included in a short term marriage of five years or less.  In a short term marriage, the parties are generally restored to their positions prior to the marriage.

The older term alimony has given way to use of the newer term of maintenance or spousal maintenance in Washington divorces.

If you are including maintenance in your divorce, you will need to:

	State which party will be making the maintenance payment.
	Provide the amount of the maintenance payment.
	State whether payment is made monthly, quarterly, annually, etc.
	State the date the first payment is due.
	State the day of the month subsequent payments are due.
	State the term of the maintenance (how long it will be paid).
	Whether payment will be made directly to the former spouse, or if you wish payment made to the Clerk and then forwarded to the former spouse (2nd option no longer available in Lincoln County).

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