In this case, the Wife did not seek alimony until four years after the parties’ divorce. This presented the question—does the durational term of alimony begin from the date of divorce, the date of the temporary alimony award, or the date of the general term alimony award?

The court found that the durational term begins from the date of the general term alimony award, even if that isn’t until four years after the date of divorce. If the alimony recipient did not seek alimony at the time of divorce, then it should not start to run from the date of divorce. And, a prior case, Holmes v. Holmes, already established that the general term alimony duration does not begin at the award of temporary alimony.

Snow v. Snow also clarifies that overtime should be considered when setting an initial award of alimony, but generally not for a modification of alimony. Furthermore, when the court is issuing an initial award of alimony, the court should make a determination regarding the recipient’s health insurance.