Divorce

South Carolina has different types of alimony. If the judge decides to grant alimony in your case, s/he must also decide which type is appropriate:

1. “Periodic” alimony is paid on an ongoing basis until one of the following happens:
   • the person getting alimony gets remarried;
   • the person getting alimony begins living as though s/he is married with another person (“cohabitation”); or
   • either spouse dies.
2. “Lump-sum” alimony is paid:
   • in one large payment (a “lump sum”); or
   • in several payments over a period of time, until the person getting alimony dies.
3. “Rehabilitative” alimony is paid:
   • in one large payment; or
   • in several payments over a period of time until the person getting alimony is able to support her/himself financially. For example, this kind of payment may end when the person getting alimony finishes his/her education or training for a job.
4. “Reimbursement” alimony is paid:
   • in one large payment; or
   • in several payments over a period of time. This type of alimony is usually order based on circumstances or events that happened during the marriage. Note: This kind of alimony payment can only end when the person getting alimony remarries, lives as though s/he is married with another person (“cohabitation”), or when either spouse dies.
5. Temporary maintenance and support (often referred to as “pendente lite” support) is paid while the divorce case is pending. It continues on an ongoing basis until one of the following happens:
   • the divorce is finalized, at which time, one of the other forms of alimony that are described above may kick in;
   • the person getting alimony remarries;
   • the person getting alimony lives as though s/he is married with another person (“cohabitation”); or
   • either spouse dies.
6. The judge may also order some other form of spousal support with terms and conditions the judge finds appropriate under the circumstances.³

¹ S.C. Code § 20-3-130(C)
² S.C. Code § 20-3-130(A)
³ S.C. Code § 20-3-130(B)