What Is Alimony? Alimony is a legal obligation to provide financial support following a divorce. In other words, alimony is a court order to pay to help support an ex-spouse. Only people who are in the process of or who have already received a divorce may obtain alimony. What Types of Alimony Are There? Generally, there are four different types of alimony. General Term Alimony is the periodic payment of support to a recipient spouse who is economically dependent. Rehabilitati