This packet is designed so that you may be able to represent yourself and complete your divorce without an attorney. The best way to avoid paying alimony in the event of a divorce is to sign a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.To use this ground, the spouse must have been in prison for 3 or more years in a row. The spouse must have been put into prison after the marriage began. Call 631-600-3295 or use our online form to set up a consultation with a top Suffolk County Alimony lawyer. Book Your Appointment Now. A spouse can file a petition in New York Family Court for the other spouse to pay spousal support even if they have not yet filed for divorce. You must be living separately for at least six months before filing for divorce. You may still live under the same roof, but not live and behave as a couple. Our dedicated Suffolk County divorce attorneys are well-versed in New York's alimony laws and how they can affect those facing a divorce.