Spousal maintenance, also commonly referred to as alimony, is a tool used by the courts to ensure that divorce does not leave either spouse financially destitute and helps maintain the standard of living established during the marriage. In most cases, spousal maintenance is awarded based on the need of the party seeking the support and the ability of the other party to pay. Because there is no set guideline or calculator for setting spousal maintenance in Minnesota, awards vary greatly across the state.
An award of spousal maintenance can be temporary or permanent. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §518.552, the court must consider a variety of factors in establishing spousal maintenance, including:
The Minnesota Judicial Branch website provides self-help information regarding spousal maintenance. However, it is important to understand that the issue of spousal support is often one of the most highly contested matters in a divorce. The attorneys at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A. have helped hundreds of individuals resolve the issue of spousal maintenance and can do the same for you.