by Jeralyn Lawrence, Family Law Attorney, Lawrence Law

Generally speaking, alimony is often the hardest part of my job. Unlike child support, there are no alimony guidelines. Alimony is based on statutory factors and case law interpreting these factors.

12 New Jersey statutory factors

1. The actual need and ability of the parties to pay.

2. The duration of the marriage.

3. The parties’ age, physical and emotional health.

4. The standard of living established in the marriage. This includes the likelihood that each party can maintain a reasonably comparable standard of living.

5. The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of the parties.

6. The length of absence from the job market of the party seeking maintenance.

7. The parental responsibilities for the children.

8. The time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment. This creates the opportunity for future acquisitions of capital assets and income.

9. The history of the financial or non-financial contributions to the marriage by each party. Contributions include the care and education of the children and interruption of personal careers or educational opportunities.

10. The equitable distribution of property and any payouts on equitable distribution, directly or indirectly, out of current income, to the extent this consideration is reasonable, just and fair.

11. The income available to either party through investment of any assets held by that party.

12. The tax treatment and consequences to both of any alimony award including the designation of all or a portion of the payment as a non-taxable payment.

Which Factors Carry the Most Weight

The factors that generally are provided the most weight, although each one is equally important, include the actual need of the receiving spouse and the ability of the paying spouse to pay. In analyzing this factor, each party’s respective income, or their ability to earn income, as well as both parties’ budgets are examined. The parties are required to complete a Case Information Statement to figure out at budget. This Statement is a detailed document that requires full disclosure of a host of information relevant to the marriage.

As to the budget, the parties have to list their shelter, transportation and personal expenses. Alimony is weighed, considered and calculated once budgets are itemized and income is known.

Another important factor is the duration of a marriage. Alimony generally is not an issue in a short-term marriage. However, in a long term marriage alimony often is an issue. The parties’ age and health is another statutory factor that is given great consideration.

Once the amount of alimony is either agreed upon, or ordered by the Court, the length of alimony is yet another issue that must be resolved. Alimony can be for a long term or a set number of years. It also can be pursuant to a set, detailed rehabilitative plan.

Alimony, both length and amount, are challenging aspects of any divorce and there are numerous considerations relevant to a final determination as to alimony. It is extremely fact and case sensitive. As such, it is important to have the guidance of an attorney when negotiating this important issue.

If you have questions about this post or any other family law or matrimonial matter, please contact me at .

Jeralyn Lawrence is a family law attorney with Lawrence Law in Watchung. She also serves as Treasurer of the New Jersey State Bar Association, is the Past Chair of the Family Law Section of the NJSBA, and serves as Second Vice-President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She can be reached at  or (908) 645-1000.

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