Spousal Support in NC: What Are You Entitled To?

North Carolina Spousal Support

In North Carolina, there are two types of spousal support: post-separation support and alimony.

Post-separation support is temporary financial assistance paid by one spouse to the other, typically lasting until a court either grants or denies alimony, or for a limited period of time.

Alimony is ongoing support that may be awarded for a specific amount and duration, either by agreement of the parties or through a court order.

Spousal support is generally appropriate when one spouse is financially dependent on the other. The court considers a variety of factors in determining the amount and duration of support, including each party’s income, reasonable expenses, financial needs, the standard of living established during the marriage, and any marital misconduct. Unlike child support, there are no fixed formulas or guidelines for calculating alimony.

For agreements or court orders entered on or after January 1, 2019, spousal support payments are generally not taxable to the recipient or deductible by the payor. However, different tax treatment may apply to agreements or orders entered before that date, or to modifications of those prior agreements.

Consult with a North Carolina family law attorney at WFLG to determine whether you may be entitled to alimony or if North Carolina spousal support may be a factor in your domestic matter.