Arizona Alimony Laws

A judge may order one spouse to pay the other spouse alimony (i.e., spousal maintenance) if the recipient spouse can establish that he/she lacks sufficient property to provide for his/her reasonable needs; has had a marriage of long duration; is unable to support himself/herself through appropriate employment; or is the caregiver to a child of such tender years that he/she should not be expected to seek employment.

If the court first determines spousal maintenance is appropriate, the court will consider several other factors when deciding the amount and duration of the spousal maintenance obligation, including the length of the parties’ marriage; the age and health of each spouse; the approximate standard of living established during the marriage; and many other factors.

Spousal maintenance awards in Arizona automatically terminate upon the death of either party or upon the remarriage of the recipient spouse, unless each spouse specifically agrees otherwise in writing.