I don't "get" alimony, because it is extremely rare here (I thought it non-existent, but checked, and found that spousal support IS paid, usually briefly, in a small number of cases:
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/media/media990309.html )
I do not really understand why one adult would pay another adult money to live on?
Perhaps it happens at property settlement here? Roger's case scenario would be covered to some extent because disputed property settlements take into account the relative contributions of the couple to the relationship.....eg a person who worked to support another on the way to a high-paying job, while sacrificing their own chances for such a job, would be seen to have contributed a great deal to the couple's finances.
CHILD support is paid here........would that come under alimony in the US????
Child support is paid according to income and how much time the child spends in the care of each parent.
It is paid by both genders, though, as women still tend to care for the kids more hours than the fella does, men tend to pay more often, though this is gradually changing. It's paid 'til the kid turns 18, IF the other parent has an income other than government benefits.
So...what's with alimony?
So....Heather Mills here would get some sort of minor financial settlement, and child support.
I think she got waaaaaaaaaay more than she was reasonably or morally entitled to.