When is spousal support granted?

 

A:

 

Spousal support may be granted under the following circumstances:

Upon decreeing the dissolution of a marriage, although not upon decreeing an annulment of a void marriage;

  1. Upon decreeing a divorce from the bond of matrimony;
  2. Upon decreeing a divorce from bed and board;
  3. Upon decreeing that neither party is entitled to a divorce; or
  4. Upon entry of a decree providing for separate maintenance.

In addition, spousal support does not have to be awarded when the divorce is granted. Instead, the parties may seek to reserve the right to seek spousal support in the future. The reservation will generally last for one half of the length of the marriage.