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Determining the Proper Amount of Spousal Maintenance

By Carl M. Palatnik
April 28, 2009

In last month's newsletter, we discussed Domestic Relations Law (DRL) ' 236(B)(6)(a), the statute containing the factors courts use to determine spousal maintenance awards in New York, along with the recently proposed legislation (See New York State Assembly Bill A10446) that would replace the statute with a formula to calculate both the amount and duration of maintenance. Supporters of the proposed legislation say it would make maintenance awards more uniform and predictable. However, there are better ways to go about ensuring fairness in maintenance awards. How can courts, without a change to the law, predict and safeguard the ongoing financial health of both divorcing parties?

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