Spousal support (also known as alimony) is a court ordered payment from one spouse or domestic partner to help cover the other's monthly expenses. They do not pay for 5 months.Fighting for spousal support from your ex? Our Los Angeles attorney at Lavinsky Law can help you. Spousal support, also called "alimony" or "maintenance", is often an issue in Los Angeles divorce and legal separation cases. Alimony is a monetary award a court in California may give one spouse in a divorce case to maintain that person's quality of living. Alimony, also called spousal support in California, is money one spouse pays to the other during and after a divorce or legal separation. If you are considering divorce in California, it is important to understand the alimony laws and how they may impact you. Alimony Explained: Understand spousal support factors California courts consider. At Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer, we understand all the aspects of divorce and family law cases.