There are a number of factors that will determine the amount and duration of court-awarded spousal support, but generally the most critical is that the support will allow the recipient to maintain the lifestyle to which she/he had been accustomed during the marriage. For example, the support payee should not expect his/her obligation to merely cover the recipient’s basic necessities if the couple enjoyed dining out, pricey leisure activities and regular vacations during the marriage.  However, need and ability to pay are the overarching considerations in any spousal support determination.