¹ If a spouse cannot reasonably be expected to provide for his or her own maintenance, including an appropriate level of retirement provision, the other spouse must pay a suitable contribution.

² In deciding whether such a contribution is to be made and, if so, in what amount and for how long, the following factors in particular must be considered:

1.

the division of duties during the marriage;

2.

the duration of the marriage;

3.

the standard of living during the marriage;

4.

the age and health of the spouses;

5.

the income and assets of the spouses;

6.

the extent and duration of child care still required of the spouses;

7.

the vocational training and career prospects of the spouses and the likely cost of reintegration into working life;

8.

expectancy of federal old age and survivor’s insurance benefits and of occupational or other private or state pensions, including the expected proceeds of any division of withdrawal benefits.

³ Exceptionally, a maintenance contribution may be denied or reduced if it would clearly be inequitable, particularly because the spouse otherwise entitled to receive such contribution:

1.

has grossly neglected his or her duty to contribute to the maintenance of the family;

2.

has wilfully brought about his or her own indigence;

3.

has committed a serious criminal offence against the other spouse or a person close to him or her.