Alimony refers to the payments that a spouse must make to their ex following divorce. Not every divorce requires that alimony must be paid, so it depends on the circumstances of each divorce. The length of the marriage is a major factor in whether alimony must be paid or not. For example, if a couple was only married for less than ten years, alimony may not be a requirement. If alimony is a requirement in the divorce terms, the length of the marriage can also affect what amount is to be paid to a spouse. A skilled Colorado divorce lawyer can explain more about how alimony is determined.