Under Michigan law, there is no formula for this, as there is for child support. Whether alimony is appropriate and, if so, how much and for how long is determined by a variety of factors in the case. Key among them are:
(1) the past relations and conduct of the parties,
(2) the length of the marriage,
(3) the abilities of the parties to work,
(4) the source and amount of property awarded to the parties,
(5) the parties’ ages,
(6) the abilities of the parties to pay alimony,
(7) the present situation of the parties,
(8) the needs of the parties,
(9) the parties’ health,
(10) the prior standard of living of the parties and whether either is responsible for the support of others,
(11) contributions of the parties to the joint estate,
(12) a party’s fault in causing the divorce,
(13) the effect of cohabitation on a party’s financial status, and
(14) general principles of equity.
This has been set forth numerous times in our courts, including the case of Olson v. Olson, 256 Mich App. 619, 631; 671 NW 2d 64 (2003)
