Both the period of time alimony is to be paid and the amount to be paid can be modified by a court. The one major exception to this is if the parties agree that the alimony is not subject to court modification.

If the parties have agreed to alimony, then the alimony ends when the parties have agreed that it will end. If, however, there is no agreement between the parties and the court awards alimony to one party or the other, then if the alimony is rehabilitative in nature (that is, temporary), the court will set an end date for the alimony payments; if the alimony is indefinite, then the court does not set an end date. Whether the alimony is rehabilitative or indefinite, absent an agreement between the parties otherwise, alimony ends on the death of either party, on the marriage of the recipient of the alimony, or if the court later determines that the alimony should end.

This article is general in nature and you should check with a lawyer in your community for specific legal advice once the facts of your specific situation are taken into account.