To prepare for a divorce, it is important for both parties to have an understanding of the factors a court will consider in determining whether to award alimony and the types and amounts to request.

The questions of whether and how much spousal support to award are not determined easily. Courts are typically required to consider a laundry list of factors, including the need and ability to pay as well as the educational level and health of the ...

Usually, although not always, alimony -- spousal support as it it called in some states -- must be awarded in the initial divorce decree for the former wife to modify the amount after the divorce is final. State laws that very from state to state ...