District Of Columbia § 16-913 - Alimony.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 16-913 — Alimony., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-913. Alimony.
16-913When a divorce or legal separation is granted, or when a termination of a domestic partnership becomes effective under or and one partner has filed a petition for relief available under this section, the Court may require either party to pay alimony to the other party if it seems just and proper.
The award of alimony may be indefinite or term-limited and structured as appropriate to the facts. The Court shall determine the amount and the time period for the award of alimony.
An award of alimony may be retroactive to the date of the filing of the pleading that requests alimony.
In making an award of alimony, the Court shall consider all the relevant factors necessary for a fair and equitable award, including, but not limited to, the:
ability of the party seeking alimony to be wholly or partly self-supporting;
time necessary for the party seeking alimony to gain sufficient education or training to enable that party to secure suitable employment;
standard of living that the parties established during their marriage or domestic partnership, but giving consideration to the fact that there will be 2 households to maintain;
duration of the marriage or domestic partnership;
circumstances which contributed to the estrangement of the parties;
age of each party;
physical and mental condition of each party;
ability of the party from whom alimony is sought to meet his or her needs while meeting the needs of the other party; and
financial needs and financial resources of each party, including:
income;
income from assets, both those that are the property of the marriage or domestic partnership and those that are not;
potential income which may be imputed to non-income producing assets of a party;
any previous award of child support in this case;
the financial obligations of each party;
the right of a party to receive retirement benefits; and
the taxability or non-taxability of income.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 16-913
What does D.C. Code § 16-913 cover?
Section 16-913 ("Alimony.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 16-913?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 16-913" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 16-913 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.