Does Maintenance Always Continue for Life?
This article provides general information. Legislation, time limits and amounts may change over time; obtain an up-to-date assessment of your specific situation.
IS ALIMONY PAID FOR LIFE? UNDER WHICH CIRCUMSTANCES CAN IT BE MODIFIED?
Attorney Gizem Gonce explains: Which conditions are taken into account in modifying the amount of alimony?
The alimony obligation is one of the most wondered about matters in divorce and family law. The increase, reduction, or termination of alimony varies according to the type of alimony and the circumstances of the case.
Can the amount of alimony be increased subsequently?
Attorney Gizem Gonce:
An increase in the amount of alimony depends on the relevant type of alimony and statutory conditions. A change in economic conditions, an increase in needs, or significant changes occurring in the parties' financial situations may be taken into evaluation depending on the specific characteristics of the concrete case.
However, the amount of alimony does not change automatically. Where necessary, a legal application must be made and the grounds of the claim must be demonstrated.
Does alimony continue for life in every case?
No. The duration and termination conditions of alimony vary according to the type of alimony.
For example, the legal grounds and termination conditions of poverty alimony and child contribution maintenance are not the same. If the relevant statutory conditions are met, the termination or modification of alimony may come onto the agenda.
: When deciding on the matter of alimony, the type of alimony, the economic situation of the parties, and the statutory conditions should be evaluated together.
Update — 29 October 2026 — When Can Poverty Alimony Be Terminated? Inheritance and Reform Debates
While the duration and termination of poverty alimony continue to be debated publicly, the circumstances in which the alimony obligation may end are also important. Attorney Gizem Gonce noted that the law currently in force must be distinguished from possible legal changes under discussion.
Is poverty alimony always paid for life?
Attorney Gizem Gonce: The fact that poverty alimony may be awarded for an indefinite period does not mean that, in every specific case, it will continue for life and cannot be changed under any circumstances. Article 175 of the Turkish Civil Code sets out the conditions for alimony, while Article 176 regulates the circumstances in which it ends or may be changed.
The alimony recipient’s remarriage, the death of either party, or other conditions specified by law may result in the alimony ending or being changed. However, the legal requirements must be examined separately in each case.
If a person receiving alimony inherits property, is the alimony automatically terminated?
Attorney Gizem Gonce: No. Inheritance alone does not require alimony to be terminated in every case. The inheritance’s economic value, whether it generates income, whether the real property can be sold, and the person’s actual financial circumstances must be assessed.
Indeed, assessments of a Court of Cassation ruling published in 2026 also emphasized that inheritance alone is not sufficient to terminate poverty alimony.
If a new alimony law is enacted, will existing orders change automatically?
Attorney Gizem Gonce: The introduction of a bill or preparation of a new regulation does not by itself change the law in force. It must first be examined whether the regulation has been enacted, its effective date, and its transitional provisions. Whether existing alimony orders will be affected also depends on the content of the regulation.
What should a person seeking termination of alimony do?
Attorney Gizem Gonce: If it is asserted that the legal conditions for terminating or reducing alimony have been met, income documents, asset records, and evidence showing changes in financial circumstances should be prepared. The request must be brought through the appropriate legal procedure.
If it is claimed that a particular Constitutional Court decision changed the alimony system, the case and decision numbers, operative part, and effective date should be verified. The explanation here concerns the general legislation.