Even in a marriage where both spouses are working and receiving separate incomes, there may be a large disparity between their salaries. In a divorce, that disparity can lead to problems for the less wealthy spouse, who may suddenly be forced to get by on a much smaller income. Because of this, Virginia and other states have enacted alimony laws that allow one spouse to be supported by the other spouse for a certain period of time after the marriage ends.

For many people, alimony is a way to ease the financial challenges of a divorce as well as to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to ending a marriage that no longer works or that has become dangerous for one spouse. However, activists in Virginia and several other states have argued recently that there needs to be reform made to alimony laws, particularly where it concerns lifetime alimony orders.

In one instance in Florida, a 72-year-old man who is no longer able to walk or talk due to Alzheimer's disease must still pay more than $25,000 a year to his ex-wife whom he divorced in 1997. He is still financially secure enough that he is able to make the payments, but his ex-wife is still employed as a college professor. Moreover, his current wife argues that they would be able hire more help if not for the alimony payments.

Alimony reform is taking shape in many states. But as the conversation continues here in Virginia, divorcing spouses may wish to consult with an attorney about their rights and obligations with regards to alimony.

Source: CNBC, "Should alimony laws be changed?," Yamiche Alcindor, Jan. 24, 2012