A common misconception is that in order for one party to receive spousal support the marriage must have lasted for a certain amount of years. This is false; however, the court is more likely to award support for longer marriages, but there is not a specific duration that is required.  When determining whether support of one party is just and reasonable, the court may consider the following factors:

• The work ability of both parties
• The health of each party
• The age of the parties, with younger ages being less likely to get support
• The length of the marriage
• General principals of equity and fairness
• The ability of the party to pay the support
• Any past infidelity including who was at fault
• The present and future needs of the parties
• The present situation
• The prior standard of living of the parties
• The amount of other property and the source of the property being awarded to each party in the divorce
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