If a judge orders your ex to pay you spousal support, you might expect there to be rules about how you can use it. While spousal support is intended to help a spouse stay financially stable after a divorce, Illinois law doesn’t have a specific list of what you can and cannot use support for.
A Chicago, IL spousal support attorney can help you understand what a maintenance order covers as you plan your finances in 2026.
Does Illinois Law Restrict How You Spend Spousal Maintenance?
Illinois law doesn’t usually require you to account for how you spend spousal maintenance once it’s deposited in your account. The court sets the amount and duration of maintenance under 750 ILCS 5/504. Factors like each spouse’s income, their earning capacity, and the standard of living during the marriage help to determine the final amount. After that point, the statute gives no specific direction on how maintenance money is to be used.