Which of the following types of maintenance is less commonly awarded?

Reimbursement spousal support is typically less commonly awarded compared to the other types of maintenance. This form of support is designed to reimburse one spouse for the contributions made during the marriage, particularly when those contributions facilitated the other spouse's education or career advancement. Unlike permanent maintenance, which provides long-term financial support, or durational maintenance, which offers support for a defined period following a divorce, reimbursement support is focused on compensation for specific past expenditures rather than ongoing needs.

The rarity of reimbursement spousal support stems from its specific application and the circumstances required for its award. Courts are often more inclined to grant permanent or durational maintenance based on the needs of the recipient and the paying spouse's ability to pay, rather than attempting to quantify past contributions that may be difficult to calculate or prove. Lump sum maintenance, while also less commonly awarded than durational or permanent maintenance, can be more determinable in certain cases where the financial dynamics allow for a one-time payment. Thus, reimbursement spousal support stands out as a less frequently utilized remedy in the landscape of marital finances following a divorce.