Spousal Maintenance

Alimony, or spousal maintenance as it is referred to in Arizona, is the monthly amount of money that one spouse may have to pay to support the other both during and/or after the divorce. In order for one spouse to receive spousal maintenance, several statutory factors are considered when determining whether a spouse is entitled to an award of spousal maintenance.

Some of the considerations that the court will make when deciding spousal maintenance awards include:

  • Financial resources of both spouses
  • Employment status and employment history of the spouse seeking support
  • Earning ability of the spouse seeking support
  • Reasonable financial needs of both spouses
  • The income disparity between the spouses
  • Length of marriage
  • Age and health of the spouse seeking support
  • Standard of living established during the marriage

Spousal maintenance is one of the most highly contested and litigated issues in a divorce or legal separation in Arizona. If you have questions about spousal maintenance or are seeking or defending a claim for spousal maintenance, contact Owens & Perkins at 480.994.8824 for a complimentary one-half (½) hour consultation.