Spousal support (also referred to as alimony) is a monthly payment made by one spouse to the other following divorce. Not every former spouse receives alimony, which is also called spousal support or maintenance. Alimony will be awarded only when a former spouse is unable to meet his or her needs without financial assistance from a spouse who can afford to pay it. If  your financial situation requires the continued assistance of your former spouse, the court will determine an appropriate amount of spousal maintenance for you.

Spousal support may be temporary, such as when a former spouse needs time to get back into the job market, brush up on skills, complete an educational program, or raise the children. Spousal support can become permanent only in limited situations such as in a case where a spouse may never become self-supporting due to age or disability. The length of time spousal support will be required will be determined by the judge.

There is no simple formula for determining how much spousal support you can receive. Each couple is different and the amount of support you can receive is based on your individual circumstances. However, some common factors that may be considered include the following;

 • income and property of each spouse
• earning capacity of each spouse
• impairments in earning capacity
• whether there are any children and who will be raising the children
• standard of living
• duration of marriage
• sacrifices or contributions one spouse made to the career or education of the other spouse

Generally, the more income and earning capacity you have relative to your former spouse, the less support you may receive.  If you need help in determining the amount of spousal support you should receive or pay  it is best to hire a good Family Law Attorney.

 

Source Find Law  Spousal Support viewed on Sept 3, 2014