
Quoting
asa_jim
Payments to a third party, such as a mortgage company, on behalf of an ex-spouse that are ordered by the court can be considered alimony. That would make the payments deductible on your tax return. However, payments credited as payment of principle might actually be considered payment of property division obligations, depending on how the order is drafted. In that case, only the interest would be alimony. Property settlement payments are not deductible. You need a good tax advisor - in my experience most family law attorneys know little about tax law.
Correction, alimony is not a "deduction", it is an "adjustment". But in fact it is deducted from your income in lay terms.