Palimony Vs. Alimony The Major Differences
There are two forms of spousal support that you might receive if you separate from your partner: palimony and alimony. Below are some of the major differences between these two forms of spousal support.
Marital Status
Alimony is spousal support after a divorce. A divorce implies that the two of you were legally married, but you have legally ended your marriage. Palimony is spousal support between unmarried couples.
Thus, you can't get alimony even if you have been cohabiting with your partner for a decade or more. You can only get palimony since you did not get legally married. However, you can get alimony even after a short-time marriage.
Permanency
Alimony exists in various forms. One of these is permanent alimony, where the payments continue until the receiving partner either dies or remarries. Permanent alimony is not that common, but it does exist.
Palimony, on the other hand, only exists as a short-term payment. In fact, according to legalmatch.com, courts typically order palimony as a lump-sum payment rather than the periodic payments possible in alimony orders.
Recognition
All states recognize the need for spousal support after divorce. The statutes may differ, for example, on how long alimony can last — but courts do consider alimony applications. You only need to meet your state's threshold for alimony for the court to consider your application.
The situation is different for palimony since some states don't recognize it. According to lawsuit.org, some states don't recognize palimony but will respect and enforce palimony orders from other states. Thus, you shouldn't assume that you are entitled to palimony just because you have been in a romantic relationship for a long time.
Promises
Most states recognize that one spouse might require financial support if a marriage breaks down. You don't need a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement to prove your need for alimony. In most states, the basic requirement is a disparity between you and your partner to get alimony.
The situation is different for palimony. Having a palimony agreement increases your chances of getting the payments in case your relationship breaks down. A written or oral agreement is the best, but an implied agreement will still work. The court will evaluate the implication within the context of your relationship.
Make sure you know what you are asking for if you need spousal. Note that in both cases, you will need to prove that you need the money, and the other person can afford it. Talk to a divorce attorney to help you prove you need the spousal support you need.