Long-term Spousal Support Maintenance Spousal Maintenance Permanent Alimony Long-term Spousal Support, also known as permanent alimony or maintenance, is financial support that one spouse may be required to pay to the other spouse following a divorce or separation for an extended period, often until the recipient spouse remarries or the paying spouse passes away. This type of support is typically awarded when there is a significant income disparity between the spouses and the recipient spouse is unable to achieve financial self-sufficiency. The duration and amount of long-term spousal support are determined by court decisions or agreements between the parties and may consider factors such as the length of the marriage and the recipient spouse's needs.