Missouri Alimony
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated March 07, 2018
Alimony, also called "spousal support" or "spousal maintenance," is an important component of the divorce process and helps ensure that both parties have an adequate financial grounding after separation. In many cases, one of the spouses will have given up a steady income in order to focus on domestic duties, or perhaps started their career later. When a couple splits up, the newly independent individuals must seek housing and other necessities, but often one of the spouses won't have enough income to cover these expenses.
Alimony is rarely considered a permanent fix, but rather a "leg up" for the lesser-earning party who nevertheless contributed to the family in other ways.
Missouri Alimony at a Glance
In Missouri, an order of spousal maintenance may be either modifiable or unmodifiable. If it's modifiable, then the court may change the amount or duration of alimony to reflect changes in either party's situation. In fact, getting remarried almost always ends the other spouse's alimony obligations. There is no firm set of guidelines for how alimony is calculated in Missouri; instead, they are determined on a case-by-case basis.
If the party paying spousal maintenance fails to do so, you may seek a court order for wage garnishment.
Additional information and official forms can be found in the table below.
Statutes |
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Eligibility for Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) |
In a divorce proceeding, the court may grant a maintenance order to either spouse, but only if it finds that the spouse seeking maintenance:
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Factors Considered When Determining Amount and Duration of Alimony |
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Note: State laws are always subject to change, usually through the enactment of new legislation but also through court decisions and other means. Contact a Missouri family law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
Missouri Alimony: Related Resources
- Missouri Divorce Laws
- Missouri Marital Property Laws
- Missouri Child Support Guidelines
- Alimony Guidelines: What Records to Keep Regarding Your Alimony
- Are You Entitled to Alimony (Spousal Support)?
Have an Attorney Help You With Your Alimony Claim
At its core, a marriage is a contract between two parties to become a single economic unit. When the contract is broken, parties often have the right to seek an appropriate amount of financial support to help them live independently. If you have any questions about filing an alimony claim or paying it, consider speaking with an experienced Missouri divorce attorney today.
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