What is the term for the allowance granted to a spouse for support while living apart?

The term for the allowance granted to a spouse for support while living apart is "separate maintenance." This legal concept refers to financial support that one spouse may be required to pay to the other during a period of separation, particularly when they have not yet legally divorced. Separate maintenance is often ordered by a court and can be essential for ensuring that the financially dependent spouse can maintain a reasonable standard of living while arrangements for the marital situation are being settled.

In cases where couples are separating but wish to remain legally married, separate maintenance provides a framework to address issues of financial support without the need for a divorce. This distinguishes it from other legal terms, as it specifically pertains to the provision of support rather than property rights or agreements related to mortgage transactions, which are represented by other terms such as mortgagee. Additionally, terms like "quash" and "sic" relate to different legal processes and do not pertain to the concept of financial support during separation. Thus, separate maintenance accurately defines the financial support arranged when spouses live apart.