I’ve been married for 20 years and make substantially more than my wife. Am I going to have to pay alimony?

I know that if someone asks this question they want the answer to be no. But the truth is that the Courts consider a marriage over 17 years as long term and there is a presumption that a spouse if it is needed and the other spouse has the ability to pay it, would be entitled to permanent alimony. The Court will however take other factors into consideration. For example, if the spouse is 40 years of age and has an education and a history of earning a salary, the Court may make the alimony durational to give that spouse an opportunity to get back on their feet and take care of themselves. If the parties’ earning capacities are the same, the Court may deny an award of alimony altogether.