Without a prenuptial agreement, the court must consider very specific factors to determine whether it will award alimony and for long and how much. Those circumstances may include proving your spouse cohabitating with another adult, demonstrating that your spouse has a high earning potential, proving a history of domestic violence, showing that you lack the ability to pay, presenting that your spouse does not need the support or establishing that the length of marriage negates the need for the payments. Working with an attorney can help you to build the right strategy.