Spousal support is one of the ways that two formerly married Michigan residents may remain connected after their divorce is finalized. It involves the payment of money from one party to the other for the recipient’s use and maintenance. Whether spousal support, sometimes called alimony, is created by agreement or order, it is generally paid on a schedule and paying parties may be subject to sanctions, if they fall behind.

To understand when a spousal support obligation will end a paying party should consult the operating document through which their mandate was established. Some support obligations are temporary, though others may be permanent if the recipient spouse is unable to provide for their own financial needs.

Spousal support obligations can also end when certain life events occur. The remarriage of a recipient spouse may terminate their right to receive money from their ex, though a paying spouse’s remarriage will not eliminate their obligation to the recipient. Additionally, the death of a paying spouse may not always terminate spousal support. Some estate plans stipulate that ex-spouses are entitled to continued support beyond the passing of the paying parties.

Therefore, there is no clear answer to the question of when a person may stop paying spousal support to their ex. It will greatly depend on how support related matters were resolved between them and their former partner. Laws can change and individuals who require help to better understand their spousal support obligations, the payments they receive from their exes or other divorce topics should understand the court’s order that obligated the alimony.