Generally, support is paid by the higher-earning spouse to the lower-earning spouse. Washington courts strive to lessen the hardship placed on the financially-dependent spouse in a divorce. When determining whether to award spousal support, the court looks at the length of the marriage and what the dependent spouse will need to become self-sufficient. The court also considers the ability of the higher-earning spouse to pay, but the receiving spouse’s needs are often given more weight than the ability to pay when compared to the paying spouse’s total living expenses. Usually, the amount of support ordered will be partially determined using the income of the paying spouse. Other factors the court may consider include: Age of both parties Health of both parties Earning capacity of both parties Standard of living during the marriage Marketable skills, educational background, and employability Contributions of each spouse to the marriage or to the educational opportunities of the other Financial resources, including non-marital assets The time and expense needed for the receiving spouse to obtain the education or training necessary for suitable employment A Washington Alimony lawyer can tell you the biggest takeaway here is that the family law courts in Washington have enormous discretion when determining the appropriate support award and the duration of the alimony payments. There is no state schedule for spousal support like child support. This makes spousal support one of Washington’s more complex and risky family law issues.