State laws are not consistent on time-limited spousal support payments, which are also called rehabilitative spousal support. In fact, some states require a time limit, while others don't have it as an option at all. Time limits are intended to give the supported spouse time to go to school, earn a license, raise a baby or just get a job. Some are measured strictly by time deadlines, such as three years. Some limits are calculated according to the length of the marriage, or a percentage of the length of the marriage. And some spousal support is "reimbursement support," in which a spouse who helped support the other through school is "paid back" after divorce.
If you don't have a time limit on your spousal support, you may be able to petition the courts in your state for one. If you can't, you can certainly still petition for an end to the payments -- but that end must be based on some material change in circumstances. Similarly, if you need to extend a deadline, you may be able to do so. |
