In Illinois divorce proceedings, financial support may be ordered from one spouse to the other. This support, intended to assist the recipient spouse in maintaining a reasonable standard of living after the dissolution of the marriage, is determined based on various factors. For example, if one spouse significantly contributed to the other’s education or career advancement, or if there is a significant disparity in earning potential, such support might be awarded.
The provision of this financial assistance acknowledges the potential economic imbalances that can arise following a marriage. Historically, it served to protect spouses who may have sacrificed career opportunities to raise children or manage the household. Even with changing societal roles, it remains a mechanism to address financial disparities and ensure a fairer outcome after a marital separation. The duration and amount are contingent on a complex evaluation of the circumstances of each case.