When is Spousal Support or Alimony Awarded in Maryland?

In making an alimony award, the court will consider all factors necessary to make a fair and equitable award including: the ability of the party seeking alimony to be entirely or partially self supporting; the time necessary for the party seeking alimony to get the required education or training necessary to find suitable employment; the standard of living established during marriage; the duration of the marriage; the monetary and non-monetary contributions of each party to the marriage; the circumstances that led to the estrangement of the couple; the age of each party; the physical and mental condition of each party; the ability of the party from whom alimony is sought to support his or her own needs while providing for the other party; any agreement between the parties; and the financial resources of each party. (Maryland Family Law Statute Title 11, Section 106)