Do I need to be married 10 years before I can get spousal maintenance?

No. There is no minimum length of marriage requirement in the law. Obviously, though, the shorter the marriage, the less likely spousal maintenance is to be ordered. You should be aware that certain other benefits that you may be entitled may require a minimum length of marriage. This is particularly true if you want to draw on your spouse’s Social Security (a 10-year marriage). If your spouse is in the military and will qualify for military retirement pay not related to a disability, there may be benefits available to you depending on the length of the marriage.