Which of the following factors may NOT influence an award of spousal maintenance?

Spousal maintenance decisions are made by considering various factors that pertain to the financial circumstances of both parties, the needs of the requestor, and the overall context of the marriage. While the age of the requestor can be relevant in some situations, it is not a defining factor in awarding spousal maintenance. Instead, courts typically focus on more directly impactful elements such as the time necessary for the requestor to find suitable employment, the contributions made to the marriage by each spouse, and the ability of the paying spouse to fulfill the financial obligation based on their current income.

The time necessary to find employment assesses the support needed by the requestor to stabilize their financial standing. Contributions to the marriage reflect the economic and non-economic sacrifices each spouse may have made, significant in determining fairness in maintenance awards. The ability to pay ensures that the obligation does not impose undue hardship on the supporting spouse. In contrast, while age might contribute to the overall context of the case, it does not have a direct influence comparable to the other factors commonly weighed in maintenance determinations. Therefore, the age of the requestor is least likely to impact the award of spousal maintenance directly.