When Alimony Payments End

Alimony stops on the date set by the court order, when either spouse dies, or when the receiving spouse remarries — whichever comes first

The most common end date is written into your divorce decree or separation agreement. A judge may order alimony for a set number of years (say, five years), until a specific age (the receiving spouse reaches 65), or until a particular event (the youngest child finishes high school). When that date or event arrives, payments stop unless the paying spouse goes to court and gets the order changed.

If no end date was set — which happens in some long-term marriages — alimony typically continues until one spouse dies or the receiving spouse remarries. Some states also allow alimony to end if the receiving spouse moves in with a new partner, even without marriage, though the rules vary by state and by what your order says.

The paying spouse cannot straightforward stop sending money because they think the time has come. The receiving spouse has to agree, or the paying spouse has to file a motion to terminate and convince a judge that the condition for stopping has been met.

Key Takeaways

• Your divorce order should state when alimony ends — a specific date, an age, or an event like remarriage or a child finishing school.
• If the order does not name an end date, alimony usually continues until one spouse dies or the receiving spouse remarries.
• Remarriage of the receiving spouse ends alimony in all states, but cohabitation rules differ by state and by what your order says.
• The paying spouse must file a court motion to stop payments; they cannot unilaterally stop sending money even if they believe the condition has been met.
• Death of either spouse ends alimony when ready, though the paying spouse's estate may still owe arrears.

What happens when the end date in your order arrives

If your divorce decree says alimony ends on June 30, 2027, or when your ex turns 62, or when your youngest child graduates high school, payments stop on that date without either of you having to do anything else. The order is self-executing — it does not require a new court filing or the other person's permission.

However, the paying spouse should document that the condition has been met. If the order says alimony ends when the receiving spouse remarries, keep a copy of the marriage certificate. If it ends on a date certain, keep a calendar note or email confirmation. This protects you if the receiving spouse later claims you still owe money.

If there is any dispute about whether the condition has been met — for example, your ex claims they did not actually remarry, or you disagree about when a child finished school — either of you can file a motion asking the court to clarify. The judge will review the evidence and issue a written order confirming whether alimony has ended.

Remarriage and cohabitation: what stops alimony in your state

Remarriage of the receiving spouse ends alimony in every state. The logic is that a new spouse is now responsible for supporting the household, so the ex-spouse's obligation ends. This is true even if the new marriage is short-lived or the new spouse earns less than the ex.

Cohabitation — living with a new partner without marrying — is treated differently depending on your state and what your divorce order says. Some states automatically end alimony if the receiving spouse moves in with a new partner. Others require the paying spouse to file a motion and prove that cohabitation has reduced the receiving spouse's financial need. A few states do not consider cohabitation grounds for termination at all. Your divorce order may also have its own language about cohabitation, which can be stricter or looser than state law.

If you believe your ex is cohabiting and your state or order allows you to stop payments on that basis, you will need to file a motion and present evidence — typically lease agreements, utility bills, or testimony from someone who has seen them living together. The court will decide whether the evidence meets the legal standard in your state.

Death of either spouse

Alimony ends when ready when either the paying spouse or the receiving spouse dies. The paying spouse's obligation does not pass to their estate or heirs — the receiving spouse cannot collect from the deceased's assets or life insurance unless the divorce order specifically required the paying spouse to maintain a life insurance policy naming the receiving spouse as beneficiary.

If the paying spouse dies while owing back payments (called arrears), the receiving spouse may have a claim against the estate for those unpaid amounts. The receiving spouse would need to file a claim in probate court within the time limit set by state law, usually 30 to 90 days after the death is published.

If the receiving spouse dies, the paying spouse's obligation ends, and any remaining alimony owed is forgiven. The paying spouse should file a motion to terminate the order to create a clear record, though the obligation is legally extinguished by the death itself.

Modifying or terminating alimony before the end date

If circumstances change before the end date — you lose your job, your ex's income increases significantly, or you become disabled — either spouse can file a motion to modify or terminate alimony early. The court will not automatically change the order; you have to ask.

The paying spouse must show a substantial change in circumstances since the order was entered. A temporary job loss may not be enough; a permanent disability or a long-term reduction in income usually is. The receiving spouse can also file to modify if their circumstances change — for example, if they become unable to work and need more support, or if they receive a large inheritance and need less.

The court will review the new circumstances and may reduce, increase, or terminate alimony. The change is not retroactive unless the judge specifically orders it — meaning you cannot recover overpayments from the past, and you cannot reduce future payments until the new order is signed.

What to do if your ex stops paying or claims alimony has ended

If the paying spouse stops sending money and you believe alimony has not ended, you can file a motion for contempt of court or a motion to enforce the order. The court can order the paying spouse to resume payments, pay the arrears, and cover your attorney fees.

If the paying spouse claims alimony has ended — because they say you remarried, or cohabited, or the date has passed — and you disagree, file a motion asking the court to clarify. Bring evidence: a marriage certificate if you remarried, lease agreements or utility bills if cohabitation is claimed, or a calendar and documents showing the end date has not arrived. The court will issue a written order confirming whether alimony continues.

Do not stop accepting payments if you think the other person is wrong about the end date. Continue to cash the checks or accept the transfers, and let the court decide. If you refuse payment and later lose in court, you may have trouble recovering the money you turned down.

How to find your alimony end date if you do not have your order

Your divorce decree or separation agreement should state when alimony ends. If you have lost your copy, you can get another from the court that issued the order. Contact the clerk's office in the county where you were divorced and ask for a certified copy of the final divorce decree. There is usually a small fee, and you can request it in person, by mail, or online through the court's website.

If you do not remember which county, check your tax returns from the year of the divorce — the county is often listed on the return. You can also search the state court system's website; many states have online case lookup tools where you can search by name and year.

If you have a family law attorney, they can retrieve your order from their files or request it from the court. If cost is a concern, many county bar associations offer low-cost legal clinics where an attorney can help you locate and understand your order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does alimony stop if I lose my job?

Not automatically. You would need to file a motion to modify or terminate based on the job loss. The court will consider whether the loss was voluntary or involuntary, how long you have been unemployed, and whether you are making a good-faith effort to find new work. A temporary layoff usually does not end alimony, but a permanent disability or long-term unemployment may.

What if my ex remarries but I do not know about it?

Remarriage ends alimony whether or not you know about it, but you are not required to keep paying if you do not know. If you later discover the remarriage happened months ago, you may owe the arrears from that date forward unless you can show you made a reasonable effort to find out. Ask your ex directly, or hire a process server to locate a marriage certificate in the county where they likely remarried.

Can alimony be extended past the end date?

Yes, if both spouses agree or if the paying spouse files a motion and convinces the court that circumstances warrant it. This is rare, but it can happen if the receiving spouse becomes disabled or faces unexpected hardship. The paying spouse would have to show a substantial change in circumstances and that extending alimony is fair under the law in your state.

If my ex dies, do I still owe alimony to their estate?

No. Alimony ends when either spouse dies, and the obligation does not transfer to the estate or heirs. The only exception is if your divorce order required you to maintain a life insurance policy naming your ex as beneficiary — in that case, the insurance proceeds would go to them or their estate, but you would not owe additional alimony.

How do I prove the date has arrived if alimony is supposed to end on a specific date?

Keep a copy of your divorce order and a calendar or written note showing the date. If there is any dispute, you can file a motion asking the court to confirm that alimony has ended. Bring your order and any documents showing the condition has been met — a calendar, a school graduation announcement, or a birth certificate if the end date is tied to a child's age.