There can be a number of different issues that arise even after a divorce has been settled. Many former couples find that agreements about child support, child custody and spousal support may need to be changed as life changes occur.

For example, the amount of monthly spousal support could change if the spouse receiving the payments gets remarried. In Ohio, and in most other states, it is feasible that someone who has been divorced and is receiving spousal support may find themselves in another relationship. But under what conditions can spousal support payments be reduced or even terminated?

In many states, spousal support can be modified or terminated upon marriage or death. In an interesting case that was recently decided by the Utah Supreme Court, a man was ordered to continue paying alimony even though his ex-wife lived with an alleged boyfriend.

The dispute centered on whether the ex-wife was actually in a relationship with another person. What made the situation more complicated was that the other person was a teenager living in the woman's parents' home as a foster child.

Ultimately it was decided that there was no proof that any relationship existed between the woman and the teenager. Furthermore, the court noted that simply being in a relationship or living with another person does not automatically terminate spousal support. The two people would have to be married or cohabitate in a manner similar to marriage.

Many couples may think that the divorce process is the complicated part and once it is over, there is nothing else to consider. But many types of divorce agreements, including spousal support, may need to be modified in the future.

Source: Washington Post: "Utah Supreme Court: Living with teen doesn't disqualify woman from receiving alimony," Associated Press, October 21, 2011