Contacts
Probate and Family Court locations
The Details
What you need
Usually, people request alimony during the process of getting divorced. In some cases, it may be possible to make the request after you’re already divorced. If your original divorce didn’t award alimony, and didn’t mention alimony in any way, you can file a complaint for alimony for the first time at any time after your divorce.
To request alimony, you’ll need to file:
- Complaint for Alimony. This is a form you write yourself, not a form you get from the court. The law libraries have many sample forms to help you.
- Financial Statement. See Financial Statements for help deciding which form(s) to file.
Fees
There may be additional fees to the sheriff or constable for service of process. If you can’t afford to pay court fees, see Indigency (waiver of court fees).
| Name | Fee | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint for Alimony (First time after divorce) | $100 | each |
| Surcharge | $15 | each |
| Summons | $5 | each |
How to request
If you or your former spouse lives in the county where you lived together, you file for alimony at the Probate and Family Court in that county. Otherwise, you can file in the county where you or your former spouse live now.
If you or your former spouse lives in the county where you lived together, you file for alimony at the Probate and Family Court in that county. Otherwise, you can file in the county where you or your former spouse live now.
Next steps
Service of process
When you file the complaint, the court staff will give you a completed summons form. You must make sure that this form is served on (delivered to) the other person. See service of process of domestic relations complaints in Probate and Family Court for more information.
More info
A judge will make a decision about whether alimony is awarded and how much is awarded. See how the court decides on alimony for more information.