Source: http://www.fwllaw.com/spousal-maintenance.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 02:41:53+00:00

Document:
The factors governing an award of spousal maintenance, commonly referred to as alimony, are established by A.R.S. § 25-319. A.R.S. § 25-319 provides for a two-part test for determining maintenance. The first portion of the test deals with whether the spouse requesting maintenance meets the statutory requirements for maintenance set out in A.R.S. § 25-319(A). To make any award of maintenance, the Court must first find that the evidence supports a finding of any one of the four statutory factors of A.R.S. § 25-319(A). Only if that test has been met, does it then become necessary to apply the criteria under A.R.S. § 25-319(B) to determine the amount and duration of the award. Unlike child support, there is not a State established calculator when determining the amount of maintenance and the exact award of maintenance is within the Judge’s discretion to determine after applying the factors set forth in A.R.S. § 25-319(B). It is beneficial to consult an experienced family law attorney for a further understanding of how A.R.S. § 25-319 works and to obtain a legal opinion as to whether the statutory factors are applicable to your case.
The complete text of A.R.S. § 25-319 is set forth below.
2. Is unable to be self sufficient through appropriate employment or is the custodian of a child whose age or condition is such that the custodian should not be required to seek employment outside the home or lacks earning ability in the labor market adequate to be self sufficient.
4. Had a marriage of long duration and is of an age that may preclude the possibility of gaining employment adequate to be self sufficient.
3. The age, employment history, earning ability and physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking spousal maintenance.
6. The contribution of the spouse seeking spousal maintenance to the earning ability of the other spouse.
12. The cost for the spouse who is seeking spousal maintenance to obtain health insurance and the reduction in the cost of health insurance for the spouse from whom maintenance is sought if the spouse from whom maintenance is sought is able to convert family health insurance to employee health insurance after the marriage is dissolved.
C. If both parties agree, the maintenance order and a decree of dissolution of marriage or of legal separation may state that its maintenance terms shall not be modified.
D. Except as provided in subsection C of this section or section 25 317, subsection G, the court shall maintain continuing jurisdiction over the issue of maintenance for the period of time maintenance is awarded.

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