Everett, WA family law attorney Sabrina Layman talks about the situations in which spousal maintenance is awarded in Washington State. She explains that spousal maintenance is a legal mechanism that courts can use to achieve equitable outcomes in divorce proceedings, helping to balance the division of assets, debts, and overall financial circumstances. While there is an informal guideline suggesting that parties may receive one year of spousal support for every three to five years of marriage, this guideline, derived from an older judicial desk reference, is not legally binding but provides context for typical arrangements.

In shorter-term marriages where both parties are financially self-sufficient, spousal maintenance is often unnecessary. In longer-term marriages, particularly when assets are substantial and divided relatively equally, spousal maintenance can serve as a bridge to address financial gaps and ensure both parties can maintain a stable standard of living.

Ultimately, the determination of spousal maintenance depends on the financial needs of one party and the ability of the other to pay. Numerous additional legal factors may also be considered, but the primary purpose of spousal maintenance is to provide a structured and fair financial transition from the onset of the divorce through its resolution.