An award of spousal support in New Mexico is determined based upon a number of factors, such as the length of the marriage, the nature of the employment or lack of employment of the respective spouses, each spouses ability to earn a living and become self-supporting, the need for eduction or training for one spouse to return to the workforce, medical needs, physical health, the age of the parties, etcetera. Spousal support may be temporary, transitional, or permanent in nature, depending on these factors.
New Mexico has Alimony Guidelines and Commentaries, which provide useful information but is not binding on the Court. These guidelines simply help one think about spousal support and arrive at a rough figure of spousal support. Remember, however, that the factors above must be considered as well.