What factors does the court consider in setting the amount of support a spouse should receive after a divorce is finalized?
In determining whether spousal support is appropriate and reasonable, and in determining the amount, terms of payment, and duration of spousal support, the court, by law, must consider a number of factors. These include the income and relative earning abilities of the parties; the ages and physical, mental, and emotional conditions of the parties; the retirement benefits of the parties; the length of the marriage; the standard of living which was established during the marriage; the extent to which it would be inappropriate for the custodian of a child to seek work outside the home; the educational background of the parties; the property and debts of the parties, including any court-ordered payments; the contribution of each party to the education, training, or earning ability of the other; the time and expense necessary for the person seeking spousal support to acquire education, training, or job experience; the lost income production capacity of either party resulting from that party
