{"id":351719,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/divorce\/alimony-guidelines-what-records-to-keep-regarding-your-alimony.html"},"modified":"2023-06-02T16:11:09","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T21:11:09","slug":"alimony-guidelines-what-records-to-keep-regarding-your-alimony","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/alimony-guidelines-what-records-to-keep-regarding-your-alimony.html","title":{"rendered":"Alimony: Records to Keep"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alimony: Records to Keep<\/h1>\n
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\n By Amy Vandervort-Clark, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Keeping records of spousal support or alimony payments is very important. Spousal support is the payment from one spouse to another of money for financial support following a divorce or as part of a separation agreement. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The family court orders it either during a divorce or as part of the divorce decree. Temporary spousal support can be ordered when a couple has gotten an annulment.<\/p>\r\n

Spousal support is separate from child support<\/a> payments and marital property division<\/a>. The amount of alimony or spousal support will not change how much child support the court orders or affect child custody.<\/p>\r\n

Spousal support is generally mentioned in the divorce settlement agreement, even if only to say that either party is receiving no spousal support. But, spousal support is never automatically awarded. An ex-spouse must request it and file the proper court forms. A family court judge then decides whether spousal support is needed and in what amount.<\/p>\r\n

Spousal Support Factors<\/h2>\r\n

A judge will consider many factors when deciding on spousal support. Judges look at the age and physical condition of the spouses, the length of the marriage, and the couple’s standard of living. The judge will also consider whether one spouse left the workforce to care for the home and children. In some states, the judge may also consider evidence of domestic violence in the relationship. Spousal support may be for a certain period of time or until the former spouse becomes self-supporting, remarries, or some other event occurs.<\/p>\r\n

Keeping records of spousal support or alimony payments is important. Suppose you need documentation showing how much you paid or accepted for the IRS or divorce case. The person paying spousal support may have to pay tax penalties and could even pay their ex-spouse for any undocumented payments.<\/p>\r\n

Spousal support was tax deductible<\/a> for the payor spouse and taxable income for those receiving spousal support payments until 2019. For those who divorced or signed a legal separation agreement before 2019, it’s best that you keep records of all spousal support payments made and received for tax purposes. Should a former spouse challenge the spousal support agreement, having as much paperwork as possible is helpful. You should consult your spousal support order for more information or seek legal advice from a family law attorney.<\/p>\r\n

Records To Keep for the Spousal Support Payer<\/h2>\r\n

The person who is paying spousal support should keep:<\/p>\r\n