Spousal support - also known as Maintenance or Alimony - is seeing an emerging new trend, according to the Colorado-based law firm of Hull & Zimmerman. That trend is the division of stock options.

As more and more people are awarded stock options through their place of employment, Colorado courts are starting to take those options into account when it comes to the division of assets following a divorce.

This is just one reason why experts recommend enlisted the services of a qualified attorney if you are undergoing a divorce.

In addition to stock options, there are many other factors involved in determining the amount of alimony one spouse receives from the other. According the Hull & Zimmerman, four other main factors are:

1) The standard of living of the spouses during the marriage.
2) The marketable skills of each spouse - i.e., how likely each person will be able to support themselves to such as a degree as is comparable to the standard of living achieved during the marriage.
3) The duration of the marriage
4) The age and health of each spouse.

Alimony, once established, is hard to change. Basically, in most cases, alimony changes only when one person either dies or gets re-married. Because it's so hard to change later, it's important to obtain proper alimony right away.

Experts agree -- an attorney familiar with Colorado divorce law is an invaluable asset when it comes time obtain spousal support.