2058

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 575

Article 16 - Chancery
Alimony
1.

(A)  IN A PROCEEDING FOR GRANTING A LIMITED OR ABSOLUTE
DIVORCE, ANNULMENT, OR FOR ALIMONY, THE COURT MAY AWARD
ALIMONY TO EITHER PARTY, AND THE EXISTENCE OF A GROUND FOR
DIVORCE AGAINST THE PARTY REQUESTING ALIMONY SHALL NOT BE AN
AUTOMATIC BAR THERETO. HOWEVER, IF A FINAL DISPOSITION HAS
BEEN MADE AS TO ALIMONY IN ANOTHER AGREEMENT, THE PROVISIONS
OF THAT AGREEMENT SHALL CONTROL.

(B)  SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS
SECTION, THE AWARD SHALL BE IN SUCH AMOUNT OR AMOUNTS AND
FOR SUCH PERIOD OR PERIODS OF TIME AS THE COURT MAY DEEM
JUST, AFTER IT CONSIDERS ALL RELEVANT FACTORS, INCLUDING:

(1)  THE FINANCIAL NEEDS AND RESOURCES OF BOTH
PARTIES, INCLUDING:

(I)  ALL INCOME AND ASSETS, INCLUDING
NONINCOME-PRODUCING PROPERTY;

(II)  ANY AWARD MADE UNDER SECTIONS 3-6A-05
AND 3-6A-06 OF THE COURTS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE;
AND

(III)  THE NATURE AND AMOUNT OF THE
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY; AND

(IV)  THE RESPECTIVE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES
TO RECEIVE RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

(2)  THE ABILITY OF THE PARTY SEEKING ALIMONY TO
BE WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY SELF-SUPPORTING;

(3)  THE TIME DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE COURT FOR
THE PARTY SEEKING ALIMONY TO GAIN SUFFICIENT EDUCATION OR
TRAINING TO ENABLE THAT PARTY TO FIND SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT;

(4)  THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE PARTIES
ESTABLISHED DURING THE MARRIAGE;

(5)  THE DURATION OF THE MARRIAGE;

(6)  THE CONTRIBUTIONS, MONETARY AND NONMONETARY,
OF EACH PARTY TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE FAMILY;

(7)  THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE
ESTRANGEMENT OF THE PARTIES AND THE DISSOLUTION OF THE
MARRIAGE OR THE ESTRANGEMENT OF THE PARTIES;

(8)  THE AGE AND THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL
CONDITION OF EACH PARTY;