All You Need To Know About Reimbursement Alimony

When one decides to file for alimony While this arrangement may sound more like a settlement, alimony rights dictate that the money can be paid in a lump sum or over a period of time. If one supported their ex-spouse while they pursued a higher education, such as law school, there may be a chance that alimony rights will allow for reimbursement.

However, if the ex-spouse graduates long before the divorce is filed, the courts may not grant reimbursement alimony. This type of alimony is not used for an ex-spouse to maintain a life style like other types are. Paying reimbursement alimony is more like paying back a regular loan, than helping someone to support themselves in their day-to-day lives.

This alimony type can actually be considered the opposite of permanent alimony in one way. The longer one is married, the more likely one is to receive permanent alimony. The longer a couple divorces after one spouse gets their degree, the less likely it is that the supporting spouse is entitled to reimbursement alimony. Under alimony rights, if one does not file for divorce within an usual time of three to four years, they may not be entitled to any reimbursement alimony.

A lawyer might recommend that if one is sure that they want to file for divorce, they should not wait if they want to be granted reimbursement alimony. The less time that passes in between graduation and divorce, the better one's opportunity of receiving reimbursement alimony once they file for divorce.

While reimbursement alimony is generally granted to repay a spouse for their help supporting the other's education, there are times when they may be reimbursed for other things. Divorce laws and alimony rights in one's state may allow the ex-spouse more rights to property division such a house or portfolio.


A spouse may even be granted reimbursement alimony for education or professional opportunities they have bypassed. Reimbursement alimony can also be awarded to a spouse in addition to other types of alimony, depending on one's specific alimony rights.

It may be hard to convince a judge to award this type of alimony. Once an individual who seeks, it decides to file for divorce, they should gather any paperwork that lends credibility to their claim.