This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 518.552, which governs spousal maintenance in divorce and legal separation proceedings. Key modifications include the addition of new criteria for determining maintenance eligibility and amounts, such as the extent to which the standard of living during the marriage was funded by debt and the need for each spouse to prepare for retirement. The bill also introduces specific presumptions regarding the duration of maintenance based on the length of the marriage, with transitional maintenance for marriages of less than 20 years and indefinite maintenance for those lasting 20 years or more. Furthermore, it establishes that maintenance obligations terminate upon the death or remarriage of the receiving party unless otherwise agreed.

Additional provisions allow for the modification of maintenance orders based on significant changes in income, needs, or tax laws, and outline the court's considerations when a party retires. The bill also mandates the creation of a form by the state court administrator's office to facilitate motions for modification of maintenance orders. Overall, these changes aim to provide clearer guidelines and more equitable outcomes in spousal maintenance cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 518.552