Alimony / Spousal Support Estimator
Estimate alimony payments based on income difference, marriage length, and state guidelines.
General reference for spousal support.
Alimony (spousal support) is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to another after separation or divorce. The amount and duration vary significantly by jurisdiction.
Common calculation methods:
Method 1 — Income Difference (most common guideline):
Alimony = (Higher Income - Lower Income) × Percentage
The percentage varies by state/jurisdiction, typically 25–40% of the income difference.
Method 2 — AAML (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers) formula:
Alimony = (30% × Payor's Gross Income) - (20% × Payee's Gross Income)
If the result exceeds 40% of their combined gross income, the amount is capped at 40%.
Duration guidelines by marriage length:
| Marriage Length | Typical Duration of Alimony |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 1–2 years or none |
| 5–10 years | 3–5 years |
| 10–15 years | 5–8 years |
| 15–20 years | 8–12 years |
| Over 20 years | May be permanent |
Factors courts consider:
- Length of the marriage
- Income and earning capacity of each spouse
- Standard of living during the marriage
- Age and health of both spouses
- Contributions as homemaker or to the other spouse’s career
- Education and job skills of the lower-earning spouse
- Custody arrangements and childcare responsibilities
Types of alimony:
- Temporary: During the divorce process.
- Rehabilitative: Time-limited, to allow the recipient to become self-supporting.
- Permanent: Ongoing, usually for long marriages where one spouse cannot become self-supporting.
- Lump sum: One-time payment instead of ongoing monthly payments.
Tax note (US): For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony is no longer tax-deductible for the payor and is not taxable income for the recipient (under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act).
Important: This calculator provides rough estimates only. Actual alimony depends on state law, judge discretion, and individual circumstances. Consult a family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.