There is no one answer to this question. The law identifies about twenty different “factors” for a judge will consider in deciding whether someone should get Spousal Support and how much.

Some of the most common factors are:

• Length of the marriage-The longer the marriage, the more likely that Spousal Support will be ordered.  The shorter the marriage, the less likely.
• Income of each spouse- The bigger the difference of income, the more likely that Spousal Support will be ordered.
• Age, Education, and Future Ability to Earn Income-If both spouses are relatively young, with equal education and job skills,  Spousal Support is less likely. If a dependent spouse is older, has less education, or has few job skills, Spousal Support may be more likely.
• Fault or misconduct of the parties that contributed to the breakdown of the marriage.
• Financial situation – the judge will look at how much money you need to support yourself and how much income you currently have. The judge will also consider your spouse’s financial situation and how much income your spouse would have available to pay Spousal Support.  
• Costs of providing care for minor children or adult children with physical or mental disabilities 
• Standard of living you maintained during your marriage – one of the most important things to show the judge is that you have a financial need for support and your spouse has the ability to pay. 
• Ability to work – the judge will look at both parties’ earning capacity 
  • Your educational qualifications,
  • Your work history and/or absence from the job market,
  • Your responsibilities in providing care for your children,
  • Your age,
  • Your physical, mental and emotional well-being.  

There is no mathematical formula for a judge to calculate alimony.  It is impossible to predict what a person could get.

There are four different types of spousal support:

1. Permanent Spousal Support-can last until either the husband or wife dies.
2. Temporary Spousal Support-can be for a limited time.  For example, it could stop when the person getting alimony gets married again.  It might be paid only while the divorce case is pending.  It might be paid only until the children are grown.
3. Rehabilitative Spousal Support– alimony  to help the other spouse go to school, or get job training, or get back on his or her feet.  This type of Spousal Support usually is paid only for a specific limited period of time.
4. Spousal Support “in Gross.”  This can be done in two ways.
   • The judge might order a one-time payment of  a single lump sum as the Spousal Support.  After that, no further payments are made.
   • Another option is for the judge to set a single total amount to be paid in Spousal Support (just like a one-time lump sum payment), but spread out a number of payments over a specific period of time.

Yes, but only if Spousal Support was not waived in the original divorce case. A waiver of spousal support is a permanent waiver.

Suppose Spousal Support was waived by both parties in the divorce case.  Neither side can come back later and ask for Spousal Support.  It won’t matter how much the circumstances have changed, or how unexpected they were.  If Spousal Support was waived by the parties in the first place, then both parties are forever prohibited from getting Spousal Support.

Otherwise, the Court may change a spousal support award, usually based on a substantial change in circumstances for one or both parties.  For example, if one party becomes employed, unemployed, or his/her income changes drastically, the Court may increase or decrease a spousal support award. The party asking for the change will need to prove what the change in circumstances is.  That party will also have to show why the change of circumstances should justify the change that is requested.