Maintenance

RCW 26.09.090 is the basis for determining if maintenance should be awarded in Washington. Spousal support or alimony is based on the need of one spouse and the ability to pay by the other spouse. The standard of living during the marriage, the assets, and debts are critical. The maintenance order shall be in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just, without regard to misconduct, after considering all relevant factors including but not limited to:
(a) The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate or community property apportioned to him or her, and his or her ability to meet his or her needs independently, including the extent to which a provision for support of a child living with the party includes a sum for that party;
(b) The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find employment appropriate to his or her skill, interests, style of life, and other attendant circumstances;
(c) The standard of living established during the marriage or domestic partnership;
(d) The duration of the marriage or domestic partnership;
(e) The age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance; and
(f) The ability of the spouse or domestic partner from whom maintenance is sought to meet his or her needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance.

A financial declaration form must be completed and financial documents provided to the court. Bank statements, check registers, copies of bills, copies of pay stubs, complete copies of tax returns including W-2s and 1099s or other records are required to be filed with the court under seal. The term “under seal” means a coversheet is affixed to the document identifying as confidential and inaccessible to only certain people and not to the general public. In financial documents and medical records are typically sealed to ensure privacy.