While men are more commonly ordered to pay alimony than women, it is not a given. Historically and traditionally, men have been the breadwinner of the family, but women are just as capable of earning an income as men, and many have high-paying jobs, so the traditional roles are shifting.  Here are some examples of when support may be due and from which spouse: If your spouse earns more than you, you may request support.  If your spouse is highly educated and has only been out of the workforce for a short time or if your marriage was very brief, the court may decide that you owe very little or no support.  If your spouse currently works full-time and makes the same amount of money as you, the court may not even consider alimony.  Whether or not you were the higher earner in your marriage, advocating for your rights is key, and you may need assistance from a legal professional to ensure that the court hears your side of the story. It is important to build a strong case for or against spousal support because the court can even award spousal support in an uncontested divorce. Due to this uncertainty, you need an experienced alimony lawyer in Washington to provide thoughtful, prudent advice and negotiate a reasonable settlement.