Cohabitation Investigations

The goal of a cohabitation investigation is to determine if a person receiving court ordered alimony payments is currently cohabiting with a new partner, thereby terminating the requirement for future alimony payments.

Alimony is a court-ordered financial payment, also known as spousal support, made by one party to their former spouse as part of a divorce decree or during a separation period. Alimony is typically set to be paid over a specific time period.

Under certain conditions, alimony payments may be terminated before the specified date. One such circumstance is when an alimony receiving ex-spouse is cohabitating with a new romantic partner. The definition of cohabitation varies but refers to a person living with another person outside of marriage, also with the implication of a sexual relationship.

In most cases, a cohabitation investigation is initiated by someone paying alimony to their ex-spouse whom they suspect is living with a new partner. This inquiry may take place at any time, such as before, during, or after divorce proceedings.

​Cohabitation Investigations