When are you positioned to successfully request spousal support?

 Posted on January 07, 2026 in Divorce

The thought of divorce can leave you concerned about your financial future. After all, going from two incomes to one can dramatically decrease your standard of living, perhaps even rendering it difficult to make ends meet. This is especially true if you didn't work during your marriage or your career was stymied when you quit work to raise children. Fortunately, you may be able to alleviate your post-divorce financial strain by seeking spousal support.

When are you justified in requesting spousal support?

Not every spouse who requests alimony is granted the support that they want. Instead, if you plan on requesting spousal support, you'll need to be prepared to show certain factors. These include:

• That you have an inability to meet your financial obligations while maintaining the marital standard of living.
• Your spouse's ability to afford the spousal support that you're requesting.
• The fact that you sacrificed your education and/or career to take care of your family or otherwise support your spouse.
• The length of your marriage, given that longer lasting marriages are better positioned for an alimony request.
• How your age or health affects your earnings capacity.
• Any additional education or training you may need to secure a job that renders you self-sufficient.

Remember that the court will seek to issue a ruling that's fair in light of the facts presented. Therefore, you'll want to gather as much evidence as possible that speaks to the factors mentioned above and develop persuasive arguments that show the court why you should be entitled to spousal support.

Your financial future and stability are on the line when you get divorced. You have to protect your interests as fully as possible, which may include seeking spousal support. But you can't go into the process unprepared.