Alimony / Spousal Support Estimator
Get a realistic alimony estimate before negotiations. Enter income figures, marriage duration, and standard of living factors to see a supportable payment range based on common formulas.
Common: 50% of marriage length; courts vary widely
How to use Alimony / Spousal Support Estimator
The alimony calculator estimates spousal support payment ranges using common formulas applied by family courts: the difference-of-incomes method and the percentage-of-income method. It also estimates duration based on marriage length guidelines. Alimony is fact-specific and court-discretionary; use this as a starting point for negotiation, not a substitute for legal advice.
- Enter both spouses' gross annual incomes.
- Enter the length of the marriage in years.
- Select marriage type for duration estimate (short, medium or long).
- Review the estimated monthly payment range and duration.
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Common alimony calculation formulas
No single national formula exists, but two approaches are widely used. Difference method: 30–40% of payor gross income minus 20–30% of recipient gross income. Example: payor $120k/yr → $40k × 35% = $42k minus recipient $40k/yr × 25% = $10k → $32k/yr alimony ($2,667/mo). Percentage method: 20–30% of the income difference. Courts adjust for standard of living, contributions to marriage, health, and self-sufficiency potential.
| Marriage length | Typical duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| < 5 years | Up to half of marriage length | Rehabilitative focus |
| 5–10 years | Half to 70% of marriage length | Transitional / rehabilitative |
| 10–20 years | Varies widely by state | May include long-term or modifiable |
| 20+ years | Indefinite or until remarriage | Courts often award longer-term support |
Factors courts consider
Courts weigh: length of marriage; each party's earning capacity and education; interruption of career for homemaking or childcare; standard of living during marriage; age and health; contributions to the other's career or education; and marital misconduct (in fault-based states). Alimony is taxable income to the recipient and deductible to the payor for pre-2019 agreements; post-2019 TCJA agreements are no longer deductible.
Glossary
- Rehabilitative alimony
- Time-limited support while a lower-earning spouse re-enters the workforce.
- Permanent alimony
- Open-ended support typically reserved for long marriages where one spouse cannot achieve self-sufficiency.
- Modification
- A court-approved change in alimony amount or duration following changed circumstances.
- Imputed income
- Income a spouse could earn if employed; courts may use this rather than actual income.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why use Alimony / Spousal Support Estimator?
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