Spousal Support / Alimony Calculator

Estimate spousal support (alimony) amounts and duration based on income difference, marriage length, and state guidelines. Distinct from alimony - focuses on modern spousal support trends.

⚖️ Family Law📐 Monthly Support = (30% of Payor Income - 20% of Recipient Income) x Duration

Higher earner monthly income ($)

Lower earner monthly income ($)

Years of marriage

Age of lower-earning spouse

State guideline style

Please enter valid values.

Formula & Reference

Variable	Formula	Units
Spousal Support / Alimony Calculator	Monthly Support = (30% of Payor Income - 20% of Recipient Income) x Duration	$ / month

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1

California 15-Year Marriage

$8,000 and $3,000/month, 15-yr marriage, CA.

CA formula: 0.40 x $8K - 0.50 x $3K = $3,200 - $1,500 = $1,700/month
Duration: 15 x 0.70 = 10.5 years
Total: $1,700 x 126 months = $214,200

✓ ~$1,700/month, 10.5 years

Example 2

Short Marriage

$5,000 and $1,000, 4-year marriage.

AMA: 0.30 x $5K - 0.20 x $1K = $1,500 - $200 = $1,300/month
Duration: 4 x 0.5 = 2 years

✓ ~$1,300/month, 2 years

Example 3

Long Marriage

$12,000 and $0 (homemaker), 25 years.

0.30 x $12K = $3,600/month
25+ year marriage: often indefinite (permanent alimony)

✓ ~$3,600/month, indefinite

Real-World Applications

⚖️

Divorcing Spouses

Estimate what spousal support may look like before engaging an attorney.

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Divorce Attorneys

Illustrate support range to clients during initial consultations.

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Financial Planners

Help clients budget post-divorce income including support obligations.

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Mediators

Neutral support calculation framework for divorce mediation sessions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️

Not distinguishing from child support

Spousal support (alimony) and child support are separate. Child support is calculated on a different formula. Both may apply in divorces with children.

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Assuming support is permanent

Modern trends favor rehabilitative alimony (time-limited to allow the lower earner to gain skills and employment). Marriages over 20 years are more likely to produce indefinite support, but even these are increasingly modified.

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Ignoring tax changes (TCJA 2017)

For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony is no longer tax-deductible by the payor or taxable income to the recipient. This changed the economics of alimony negotiations significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is spousal support vs alimony? ▾

They are the same concept - financial support from one ex-spouse to another after divorce. 'Alimony' is the traditional term; 'spousal support' or 'spousal maintenance' is the modern legal term used in most states.

How long does spousal support last? ▾

Short marriages (under 5 years): support lasts about half the marriage. Medium (5-15 years): roughly half to 60% of the marriage length. Long marriages (15-20+ years): potentially indefinite, especially when one spouse was a homemaker.

Does adultery affect spousal support? ▾

In most states: no effect in equitable distribution states. About 30 states allow fault to influence alimony. Practical impact is declining as most states move to no-fault. Consult an attorney in your state.

Can spousal support be modified? ▾

Yes, in most cases. Significant changes in income (job loss, promotion), retirement, cohabitation with a new partner, or remarriage typically allow modification. Courts require showing a substantial change in circumstances.

Is spousal support taxable after 2019? ▾

For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018: alimony is NOT deductible by the payor and NOT income to the recipient. Pre-2019 divorces retain the old tax treatment unless modified post-2019.