This paper provides an excellent overview of spousal support. It explores not only the historical roots of difficult spousal support conversations, but, also, a different approach to resolve potential conflicts over spousal support. This approach balances a rights-based analysis of spousal support with an integrative analysis of the clients’ needs, interests, and resources. Bringing interest-based negotiation into the spousal support arena enhances the possibility of creative and durable outcomes, and humanizes the pressing emotional needs of the players.

This paper was presented at the 46th Annual Family Law Refresher in April of 2013.