Do spousal maintenance payments stop on remarriage?

Spousal maintenance payments automatically stop only when the recipient remarries or enters into a civil partnership. The recipients cohabitation with a new partner does not automatically terminate payments, although it may be grounds for the payer to seek a reduction or termination either by agreement, or through an application to the court.

If the payer of spousal maintenance remarries or enters into a civil partnership and their financial circumstances change for the worse, they can attempt to negotiate directly with their ex-spouse to adjust the maintenance payments.

If agreement cannot be reached, they could apply to the court for a downward variation of the spousal maintenance order.