In addition to the no-fault bill, also pending in Albany is a bill that would do for spousal support/maintenance/alimony (call it what you will, a rose by any other name is still a rose) what was done years ago for child support: provide guidelines. For parties in mediation, the guidelines would offer an additional possible way of viewing maintenance, without binding the parties to the legal formula. As in child support, parties can choose to “opt-out” of the legal formula so long as they can demonstrate why they are opting to deviate. While we encourage, always, creative, individually-tailored solutions in mediation, another tool in the toolbox, thoughtful frame of reference, is always welcome.