What is the best way to obtain support for myself?
A. In Pennsylvania, if you are an economically dependent spouse, that is to say, if your income is less than your spouse, you may be entitled to receive spousal support. Spousal support is a payment made from an economically independent spouse to a dependent spouse when the parties are separate and apart from each other and the dependent spouse is not at fault. However, if the dependent spouse cannot meet the criteria for spousal support, the dependent spouse may qualify for alimony pendente lite. Alimony pendente lite, otherwise known as APL, can be paid from the economically independent spouse to the dependent spouse once a divorce complaint if filed. This payment is made regardless of fault and is calculated based upon a percentage difference between the parties monthly net incomes. Finally, Pennsylvania provides a third type of support called alimony. Alimony is paid in cases where economic justice cannot be achieved through division of the marital assets at the time of equitable d
