A new divorce law in France, which took effect in 2005, removed the concept that, if someone sued for divorce after six years of separation from his or her family, that person was liable to pay alimony for life. It reduced the period of time from six years to two years, and also made it possible for the “guilty” party to receive alimony. Alimony in either case would be provided only if the income of both parties is sufficiently different, and then the payment would be a lump sum or temporary support.