what is a fair maintance payment to the wife in divorce. wife makes $ 16,000 a yr. husband makes $ 57,000 a yr. ,2 grown childern ,married 23 yrs.

      The  starting point for spousal support in a long term marriage is 50% of the available net income. Twenty three years is certainly a long term marriage. Using a support tax program, I calculated  support at 50% using your two incomes listed for support at $1,541 per month. The court has to consider all of the factors under the maintenance statute and has discretion in setting the amount of support and the duration, but the law is clear that after a long term marriage, the starting point is 50% as indefinite maintnenace, that would only terminate upon death of either party or your remarriage.