Family Law — Alimony
Alimony After Remarriage in Israel
Does It Stop Automatically?
Remarriage — yours or your ex-spouse's — raises urgent questions about spousal alimony and child support. Adv. Liron Elmaliach explains exactly what Israeli law says and what your options are.
Spousal Alimony After Remarriage
Under Israeli law, spousal alimony (מזונות אישה) ends automatically when the recipient remarries. This is a clear rule: the moment a divorced woman entitled to maintenance remarries, the obligation of her former husband ceases. The logic is that her new husband now bears the duty of support.
What about cohabitation? Courts have extended this principle to de facto spousal relationships — couples who live together, share finances, and present as partners without formally marrying. If the paying party can demonstrate that the recipient is in such a relationship, they can apply to the Family Court to terminate the alimony obligation.
When the paying party remarries: The ex-spouse's remarriage does not by itself terminate alimony paid to you. However, a paying party whose new family obligations have grown substantially may apply to the court for a reduction — which the court will assess against your continuing needs.
The new spouse's obligation: In Israeli family law, a new spouse has an independent duty to support their partner. Courts recognise that once a recipient remarries, their maintenance needs are transferred to the new spouse — and the former spouse's liability ends accordingly.
Child Support After Remarriage
Child support (מזונות ילדים) works on a fundamentally different principle: it belongs to the children, not to the receiving parent. The remarriage of the custodial parent does not reduce or cancel child support — the children's right to support from their biological parent is independent of who their custodial parent lives with.
When the paying parent has a new child: Having a child in a second family is treated by Israeli courts as a potential change of circumstances. The paying parent may apply to the Family Court for a review. In practice, courts are reluctant to significantly reduce first-family support — they will examine the parent's total income and the needs of all children before ordering any change.
What courts allow: Courts may make modest adjustments if the paying parent can show their income is genuinely stretched across two families. The reduction — if ordered — is usually partial and based on a careful financial analysis.
What courts refuse: Courts consistently reject arguments that the new spouse's income, or the improved household finances of the custodial parent, justify reducing child support. The obligation runs from biological parent to child — it cannot be outsourced to step-parents.
Frequently Asked Questions — Alimony After Remarriage
Answers to the most common questions about alimony and remarriage in Israel
Need Advice on Alimony After Remarriage?
Free Initial Consultation — Adv. Liron Elmaliach
Jerusalem Family Law Office