The first thing a judge needs to determine when calculating alimony is if a spouse is substantially dependent on the other. There are 16 factors they typically look at, however, they are not limited to these. One of the most important factors is income, the wage gap between the partners. Outside of finances, the judge will also look at conduct. If there was an affair on the part of the person asking for alimony, they wouldn't get any. However, if the affair was the other way, the alimony payments could be higher. Ultimately, alimony is a complicated process with no set formula. That's why it's critical to have an experienced attorney on your side when dealing with this issue.