Will I get spousal support?
Whether or not you will pay or receive spousal support (formerly known as alimony) depends on many factors. The court will determine support based on the length of the marriage, the circumstances of the parties and the standard of living established during the marriage.
Most courts take the following into consideration in determining the amount of spousal support and the length of time it will be paid:
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The length of the marriage.
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The job skills of the party seeking support and the market for those skills.
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The time required for the party seeking support to obtain skills and training to enable them to become employed.
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Whether or not the supported spousal was unemployed for periods of time due to raising children or domestic duties.
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The ability of the supporting party to pay spousal support, taking into account the their earnings, earning capacity and unearned income.
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The needs of each party based on the standard of living established during the marriage.
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The obligations and assets, including the separate property, of each party.
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The age of the minor children and the ability of the supported spouse to work without unduly interfering with the needs of the minor children.
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The age and health of the parties.
The court's consider a marriage of over ten years a "long term" marriage and generally will not set a termination date for support, but will have the support continue until "further order of the court".
Each case is different and many, many factors are considered in determining the length and amount of support to be paid, if any. It is important to speak with a experienced Family Law Attorney to determine the spousal support obligation.