The court may order the person who keeps the estate to pay alimony. It may also order any amount to be paid from one ex-spouse to the other to the fullest extent of his or her ability. If one spouse cannot pay alimony for life, he or she may be forced to give the ex-spouse a lump sum of money, real estate or other profit. If one spouse has the ability to get a job, alimony can be demanded of the other spouse until that spouse gets a job. This type of alimony is not permanent, and the court can decide when alimony doesn't have to be paid anymore. This type of alimony is transitional, and is used by the spouse working on getting a job to pay for education classes needed for a career.