Alimony & Support Laws - New Jersey

Alimony/Maintenance/Spousal Support: Either spouse may be ordered to pay alimony, without regard to marital fault, based on the following factors: (1) the duration of the marriage; (2) the actual needs, obligations, and ability to pay of each spouse; (3) the standard of living established during the marriage and the likelihood that each spouse can maintain a comparable standard of living; (4) the time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education and training to enable the spouse to find appropriate employment and that spouse’s future earning capacity; (5) the age of the spouses; (6) the physical and emotional conditions of the spouses; (7) the earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of the spouses; (8) the length of absence from the job market; (9) any child custodial responsibilities of the spouse; (10) the availability of training and employment; (11) the opportunity for the future acquisition of capital and income; (12) the history or financial and non-financial contributions of each spouse to the marriage, including the contribution of each spouse to the care and education of children and interruption of personal careers or educational opportunities; (13) the equitable distribution of property and any payouts from this property, if a consideration of this income is fair and just [however, income from retirement benefits which are treated as an asset for purposes of equitable distribution are not to be considered]; (14) any investment income available to either spouse; (15) the tax consequences of any alimony; and (16) any other factor the court deems just and equitable. [New Jersey Statutes Annotated; Title 2A, Chapter 34-23].