Postseparation support is temporary alimony intended to support a dependent spouse while the parties wait for trial. Unlike other temporary claims, it's considered a different claim than alimony with a shortened set of criteria.
Differences from Alimony
Postseparation support is ordered if a dependent spouse has reasonable expenses they can't afford and the breadwinner spouse is able to cover those expenses. The court looks at the parties' financial needs, standard of living, incomes, earning capacities, debts, reasonable expenses, and legal obligations to support other people like children.
This criteria is similar to alimony, but instead of 16 factors, there are only a few. The court does consider whether the dependent cheated, because that would eliminate their qualification for alimony entirely. However, no other marital misconduct that would influence the amount of alimony is considered.
