Virginia law allows a married person who is separated from their spouse to file a petition for "separate maintenance. Alimony (spousal support) in Virginia is on an indefinite basis.Indefinite alimony can be raised or lowered over time if there is a change of circumstances. There are several types of alimony in Virginia. Virginia permits pendente lite spousal support to be awarded. Learn about the types of alimony available in Virginia, how it's calculated, and the factors courts consider when awarding spousal support. Spousal support is generally awarded in Virginia when there is a large difference between the earnings of one spouse and the other. These include temporary (pendente lite) alimony, rehabilitative alimony, permanent alimony, and lump-sum alimony. What Are the Different Types of Alimony in Virginia? The short answer to this question is yes, marital fault is considered when determining alimony orders in Virginia.