Either spouse can ask the Court for an award of Alimony.  The request can be for temporary or permanent alimony.  In order for the Court to make an award of Alimony it must consider the following three factors:

i) the person that is requesting the award of alimony must lack sufficient income, property, or both to provide for his or her reasonable needs taking into account the style of living to which the couple have been accustomed during the marriage and

ii) the person from whom the alimony is sought is able to meet his or her reasonable needs while meeting those of the person seeking alimony, taking into account the style of living to which the parties have become accustomed during the marriage, and

iii) the person requesting alimony is unable to support his or her self through appropriate employment at a standard of living that meets his or her needs or is the custodian of a child of the couple whose condition or circumstances make it appropriate that the custodian not seek employment outside the home.

An award of alimony may be in a lump sum or periodic payments or both.  There are a number of other factors that go into an award of alimony but the three that are listed above are the main elements the  Court considers.  If you have any questions regarding an alimony issue, please feel free to contact the Divorce Law Group.