• lacks sufficient property to provide for reasonable needs considering the standard of living attained during the marriage; or 

• is unable to provide adequate self-support, considering the standard of living attained during the marriage, through appropriate employment; or 

• is the custodian of a child whose condition or circumstances make it appropriate that the custodian not be required to seek employment outside the home.

In determining the amount and duration of alimony or spousal support, a Minnesota Court will consider the following factors: 

• the sacrifices the homemaker has made in terms of earnings, employment, experience, and opportunities; 

• the time necessary to acquire sufficient education and training to enable the spouse to find appropriate employment, and that spouse's future earning capacity and the probability of completing education and training and becoming fully or partially self-supporting;

• the standard of living established during the marriage; 

• the duration of the marriage and, in the case of a homemaker, the length of absence from employment and the extent to which any education, skills, or experience have become outmoded and earning capacity has become permanently diminished; 

• the ability of the spouse from whom support is sought to meet his or her needs while meeting those of the spouse seeking support; 

• the financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance, including marital property apportioned to such spouse and such spouse's ability to meet his or her needs independently;

• the contribution of each spouse to the marriage, including services rendered in homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other spouse; 

• the age of the spouses; 

• the physical and emotional conditions of the spouses; 

• any loss of earnings, seniority, retirement benefits or other employment opportunities foregone by the spouse seeking maintenance; and 

• any other factor the court deems just and equitable.

Click Here for Minnesota Message Board