Which of the following best describes "alimony"?

Alimony best describes financial support granted to a spouse after separation. This typically involves one spouse making payments to the other for a specified duration following a divorce or separation, ensuring that the receiving spouse can maintain a reasonable standard of living, especially if they were financially dependent on the other during the marriage.

This form of support addresses the economic disparities that may arise after a marriage ends, particularly where one spouse may have sacrificed their career for family responsibilities or was not as financially stable.

The other options focus on aspects of divorce that are distinct from alimony. Legal fees pertain to the costs associated with the divorce process, the division of property deals with the allocation of assets and debts between the two parties, and custody arrangements focus on the legal responsibilities for the care of children after a separation. Each of these areas is crucial in divorce proceedings but does not encompass the financial support aspect that alimony specifically refers to.