ALIMONY (also known as Spousal Support)
According to Nolo.com, “Alimony is generally awarded in cases where the spouses have very unequal earning power and have been married a long time. For example, a judge is unlikely to award alimony if the couple has only been married for a year. In fact, some state laws prohibit alimony awards unless the couple has been married for a certain amount of time.”
Alimony: What Do I Need to Know Before Divorce? | Nolo
CHILD SUPPORT
According to USA.Gov, “a child support order legally requires a parent to help pay to raise a child. Your state or tribe can help you get, change, or enforce one, regardless of where the parent lives.”
Find Help with Collecting Child Support | USAGov
Purchase a copy of Nolo’s Essential Guide to Child Custody & Support.
A number of Nolo and other publications may be found on your local library’s website. To save money, search your library’s website to determine if you may get this information for free before purchasing it.