Certification of Cohabitation

A Certification of Cohabitation is filed by a party seeking to terminate or modify an alimony order based on the recipient spouse’s cohabitation with another person. Cohabitation, in this context, refers to a situation where the recipient spouse is living with another person in a romantic, intimate, or marriage-like relationship. The certification includes evidence of cohabitation, such as joint bank accounts, shared living expenses, or public displays of affection, to support the request for a change in the alimony award. The court may consider factors such as the length and nature of the cohabitation, the financial interdependence of the parties, and any agreements between the parties regarding the impact of cohabitation on alimony. If the court finds that the recipient spouse is cohabiting with another person, it may terminate or modify the alimony award based on the changed circumstances. The party seeking relief based on cohabitation bears the burden of proving the cohabitation by a preponderance of the evidence.