Alimony is an issue of concern in many divorces due to the financial burden of a single income household. Adultery should have nothing to do with alimony determinations.In this case, alimony is based on one spouse's need and the other spouse's ability to pay. The judge will consider cohabitation and determine whether it should impact that spouse's ability to request alimony. Minnesota family law allows a court to order the other spouse to make payments for their support. This is separate from child support. The paying spouse must wait at least 12 months after the initial support order to ask for a review based on cohabitation. Per Minnesota law, a judge cannot take adultery into account when deciding spousal support (alimony) or child support. Numerous states have set formulas for calculating alimony (aka spousal maintenance). Spousal maintenance can be permanent, temporary, a lump sum or rehabilitative.