In some cases, when people get married, they want to protect themselves from being forced to pay spouses` allowances. As a result, a couple can conclude a marriage contract specifying whether the spouse`s allowance is paid or not. The marriage contract may include an amount of the spouse`s allowance (sometimes based on years of marriage) or a waiver of entitlement to the spouse`s pension as a whole. Spouse`s allowances may be paid periodically (e.g. B monthly) or by a lump sum payment. Like child support, support can be changed over time depending on the financial situation of the former paying spouse. The judge usually decides whether the spouse assistance scheme contained in the marriage contract is fair or not. .