Spousal Maintenance

The money that is paid by one spouse to the other as part of the divorce decree. The payment is designed to be a safety net for a spouse who cannot provide for his or her needs or who meets other requirements under law. The idea behind Spousal maintenance is that the accomplishments of the spouses during the marriage, including increases in earning potential and living standards, are shared and earned by BOTH spouses, not just the spouse who gets a paycheck or has a job. Spousal maintenance is paid separately from child support and is not a substitute for or a supplement to child support payments.

Source: Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County

Last reviewed October 2022