How does the duration of a marriage typically affect spousal support?

The duration of a marriage significantly influences spousal support, particularly in terms of the amount and duration of support payments awarded. In many jurisdictions, the general principle is that longer marriages may lead to higher amounts of spousal support that are also sustained for a longer duration. This is due to several factors:

1. Economic Interdependence: Over time, spouses often develop a financial interdependence, where one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities or income potential to support the household or the other spouse's career. The longer the marriage, the deeper this economic interdependence tends to be, which can justify higher support.

2. Standard of Living: The court will often take into account the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage. In longer marriages, the standard of living may have been more established, leading courts to award support reflecting that lifestyle for the lower-earning or non-working spouse.

3. Age and Employment: In longer marriages, spouses may be older and may have been out of the workforce for extended periods. This can impact their ability to become self-sufficient after divorce, leading to higher and longer spousal support awards.

Overall, courts generally perceive longer marriages as indicating a stronger marital partnership, which often results