Alimony

Either of the two spouses may be required to pay spousal support or alimony to the other, depending on unique factors. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• The financial needs of the recipient
• The recipient’s earning capacity and an ability to improve said capacity
• The ability of the paying spouse to provide alimony or support
• How long the marriage lasted
• The standard of living during the marriage
• Any fault of either of the spouses
• If one spouse’s earning capacity has been enhanced by another’s efforts and participation
• Custody of children
• If either spouse worked for or in a business owned by the other spouse
• Other relevant factors

In most cases, the court does not award alimony to either party for any amount of time longer than the length that the marriage existed. In addition, alimony terminates when the receiving party dies, remarries or begins living with another individual. Alimony disputes may be handled through mediation, if they are not able to be resolved personally.