Spousal Support or Alimony

Spousal support or alimony is money paid by one spouse or ex-spouse to the other as part of a dissolution proceeding. Many factors affect whether spousal support is paid and how much and for how long it will be paid. These factors include:

• Duration of the marriage 
• Ability of the receiving spouse to earn an income
• Education level and work history of the receiving spouse
• Paying spouse’s ability to pay
• Terms and enforceability of any prenuptial / premarital agreement
• The ages and physical health of both spouses
• Time the receiving spouse stayed out of the workforce to raise the parties’ children.