Maintenance, formerly known as alimony, in Illinois is determined through a consideration of various factors designed to ensure equitable financial outcomes for divorcing spouses. These factors include the income and property of each party, the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions to the marriage (including homemaking and childcare), the present and future earning capacity of each party, the time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment, the marital standard of living, the age, physical and emotional condition of each party, any valid agreement of the parties, and any tax consequences relevant to an award of maintenance.
Providing financial support after a divorce can be crucial for a spouse who may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage. It aims to bridge the economic gap created by the dissolution of the marriage, promoting fairness and self-sufficiency. Historically, maintenance reflected societal expectations of long-term marriages and traditional gender roles. Modern Illinois law reflects a shift towards considering both spouses’ contributions and earning potential, regardless of gender, promoting greater economic independence post-divorce.