What criteria does the court use to determine whether to make a maintenance award?
Generally, courts consider the following non-exclusive list of factors in determining maintenance awards: (a) The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate or community property apportioned to him, and his ability to meet his needs independently, including the extent to which a provision for support of a child living with the party includes a sum for that party; (b) The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find employment appropriate to his skill, interests, style of life, and other attendant circumstances; (c) The standard of living established during the marriage; (d) The duration of the marriage; (e) The age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse seeking maintenance; and (f) The ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought to meet his needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance.
