Alimony
 

Maintenance (what is commonly called alimony or spousal support) is intended to allow both parties to be financially independent and to live to the same standard of living that they became accustomed to during the marriage. Unlike child support payments, maintenance (alimony) payments have income tax consequences, as the payments are deductible to the person making the payments and considered income subject to taxation to the person receiving the payments. Maintenance (alimony) is typically ordered for a specific number of years and in rare cases for an indefinite number of years.

There is no set formula for determining if maintenance (alimony) will be awarded, how much will be awarded, and for how long it will be provided. The following factors will be considered:

• Income of the parties; especially if one spouse earns a high income
• Duration of the marriage
• Age and health of the parties
• Present and future earning capacity of the parties
• Ability of the party seeking maintenance (alimony) to become self-supporting
• Tax consequences
• Contributions of the party seeking maintenance
• Wasteful dissipation of assets