Reviewed August 2026
Spousal Support in Georgia
Georgia calls spousal support alimony. A superior court decides it as part of a divorce case under Title 19, Chapter 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Georgia law recognizes two main forms. Periodic alimony is paid on an ongoing schedule and is generally modifiable. Lump-sum alimony is a fixed amount that is typically final once ordered. Georgia has no statutory formula for calculating alimony. Instead, the court weighs a list of factors to decide whether an award is appropriate. If so, it sets the amount and duration. Fault can matter in one specific way. A spouse whose own adultery or desertion caused the separation is generally barred from receiving alimony under Georgia law. Georgia also has a distinct statutory rule, sometimes called the live-in lover law. It lets a paying spouse seek modification or termination of periodic alimony if the recipient lives with a third party in a relationship similar to marriage.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how spousal support works under Georgia law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Georgia paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Periodic versus lump-sum alimony
O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1 authorizes two forms of alimony. Periodic alimony is paid over time and can be modified later. Lump-sum, or gross, alimony is a set total amount. It is generally not modifiable once awarded. Which form a court orders depends on the facts of the case. Two things matter most: the paying spouse's income stability and whether the recipient needs ongoing support or a one-time payment.
Factors and the fault bar
O.C.G.A. § 19-6-5 lists several factors. These include the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and each spouse's age and physical and emotional condition. The court also weighs financial resources and each spouse's ability to earn income now and in the future. Georgia law also bars a spouse whose adultery or desertion caused the separation from receiving alimony. That makes fault a live issue in some Georgia alimony disputes, even though the state also allows no-fault divorce.
The live-in lover cohabitation rule
Georgia's cohabitation statute lets a court modify or terminate periodic alimony under specific proof. The paying spouse must prove the recipient is voluntarily living with a third party in a relationship involving cohabitation similar to marriage. This does not happen automatically. The paying spouse must file a petition and present evidence of the cohabiting relationship. The court then decides based on the facts presented.
Modification and termination on remarriage
Periodic alimony in Georgia can be modified if either spouse shows a substantial change in income or financial status since the order was entered. It also generally terminates when the recipient remarries. Lump-sum alimony works differently. It is treated more like a completed award, so it is generally not subject to modification or termination on remarriage in the same way.
Sources: Georgia General Assembly - Official Code of Georgia statutes portal, Georgia Courts - self-represented litigants, IRS Tax Topic 452, Alimony and Separate Maintenance
Not independently confirmed
- The Georgia General Assembly's public statutes portal does not offer a stable direct link to the individual text of O.C.G.A. §19-6-1, §19-6-5, or the cohabitation modification statute for automated verification; confirm exact current statutory text by searching Title 19, Chapter 6 at the linked portal or with the county's clerk of superior court.
Spousal Support in Georgia: frequently asked questions
What is spousal support called in Georgia?+
Georgia statute and courts use the term alimony. It is governed by O.C.G.A. Title 19, Chapter 6, and decided by the superior court as part of a divorce case.
Does Georgia have a formula for calculating alimony?+
No. Georgia has no statutory formula. O.C.G.A. § 19-6-5 lists factors the court weighs, such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial resources and earning capacity, and standard of living, to decide whether to award alimony and how much.
Can I lose my right to alimony in Georgia because of fault?+
Yes, in a specific circumstance. Georgia law bars a spouse whose adultery or desertion caused the separation from receiving alimony, even though Georgia also permits no-fault divorce on other grounds.
What is Georgia's live-in lover law?+
It is a statutory rule allowing a paying spouse to petition the court to modify or terminate periodic alimony if the recipient is proven to be cohabiting with a third party in a relationship similar to marriage. The paying spouse must present evidence, and the court decides based on the facts.
What is the difference between periodic and lump-sum alimony in Georgia?+
Periodic alimony is paid over time and can generally be modified or terminated based on later changes, including remarriage. Lump-sum, or gross, alimony is a fixed total amount. It is typically final and not modifiable once the court orders it.
Is alimony taxable in Georgia?+
For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, federal law no longer allows the paying spouse to deduct alimony or requires the recipient to treat it as taxable income, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Agreements executed before 2019 generally keep the older tax treatment unless later modified.
This page is general information about spousal support in Georgia, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Georgia's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Georgia. Virdix does not prepare or file Georgia divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Georgia.
More Georgia divorce guides
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