HB507 Alabama 2015 Session

Under existing law, in an action for divorce, the court may make an award of alimony, including interim alimony, for the support of either spouse out of the estate of the other spouse.

This bill would provide for an award of interim alimony in an action for divorce, legal separation, or annulment filed after January 1, 2016, if the spouse maintains the validity of the marriage, the spouse needs interim alimony, and the other spouse has ability to pay interim alimony.

This bill would authorize a judge, out of the marital property or current income, to award reasonable interim fees, costs, and litigation expenses, including discovery, expert witnesses, guardians ad litem, special masters, and attorney fees, to enable each party to have equitable access to the marital property to pursue or defend an action for divorce, legal separation, annulment, or appeal.

This bill would also provide for an award of rehabilitative or periodic alimony after consideration of specific factors and would provide for the modification and termination of such orders.

Relating to alimony; to provide for an award of interim alimony in an action for divorce, legal separation, or annulment under certain conditions; to provide for the modification of interim alimony awards; to provide for the termination of an interim alimony award; to provide for an award of rehabilitative or periodic alimony under certain conditions upon the granting of a divorce or legal separation; to provide for modification of an order awarding rehabilitative or periodic alimony; and to provide for termination of an award of rehabilitative or periodic alimony.