How does alimony work in South Carolina?

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South Carolina alimony is governed by   S.C. Code § 20-3-130   and is one of the few states that retains an   absolute adultery bar   to alimony.    1. The Adultery Bar — § 20-3-130(A)     No alimony may be awarded   to a spouse who commits adultery before: - The earliest of (1) the formal signing of a written property/marital settlement agreement; OR - The entry of a permanent order of separate maintenance and support; OR - The entry of a permanent order approving a property/marital settlement agreement.  Adultery proven during this critical pre-decree window completely bars alimony — no exceptions, no balancing.    2. Five Types of Alimony — § 20-3-130(B)   -   Periodic alimony   — most common; paid in installments.   Modifiable  . -   Lump-sum alimony   — fixed total, payable as lump or in installments.   Not modifiable  , survives death. -   Rehabilitative alimony   — for a defined period to allow education/training.   Modifiable   on extraordinary change in circumstances. -   Reimbursement alimony   — to repay a spouse for support of the other's career/education during the marriage.   Not modifiable  . -   Separate maintenance and support   — when parties are separated but not divorced.    3. Statutory Factors — § 20-3-130(C)   13 factors: 1. Duration of the marriage and ages of the parties 2. Physical and emotional condition 3. Educational background and need for additional training 4. Employment history and earning potential 5. Standard of living 6. Current and reasonably anticipated earnings of both spouses 7. Current and reasonably anticipated expenses 8. Marital and nonmarital properties 9. Custody of children 10.   Marital misconduct or fault   of either or both parties (whether or not used as basis for divorce, if affecting/contributing to the breakdown — but only if it occurred before the earliest of the dates in § 20-3-130(A)) 11. Tax consequences 12. Existence of support obligations from a prior marriage 13. Other relevant factors    4. Modification — § 20-3-170     Periodic alimony  : modifiable on showing of   changed circumstances  . Lump-sum and reimbursement: not modifiable.    5. Termination — § 20-3-150 and § 20-3-130(B)(1)   Periodic alimony terminates on: -   Death of either party   -   Remarriage of the supported spouse   -   Continued cohabitation   of the supported spouse — defined as   residing with another person in a romantic relationship for 90 or more consecutive days   (§ 20-3-150). Periods broken to manipulate the rule do not reset the clock.    6. Tax   Federal TCJA applies — orders post-2018 are non-deductible/non-taxable.  This is legal information, not legal advice.