Get a rough monthly support range and a likely duration from the two incomes and how long you were married. There's no national formula — this is a planning estimate, not a prediction of what a judge will order.
No signupPrivate to your browserGuideline-based estimate
Important: Alimony is one of the least standardized parts of divorce. Many states give judges broad discretion and publish no formula at all; others have county-level guidelines. This tool applies a common guideline so you have a number to plan around — treat it as a ballpark, and confirm with a family-law attorney in your state. Under current U.S. federal rules, alimony from divorces finalized in 2019 or later is not tax-deductible to the payer or taxable to the recipient.
Nothing you enter leaves this page
What a Judge Weighs for Spousal Support
0 of 10 noted
No formula captures these, but they're what actually drives an award. Tick what applies to you to see how strong the case for support may be. Nothing is saved or sent.
Spousal support exists to limit the unfair economic fallout of a divorce for the lower-earning spouse. Because needs and circumstances vary so much, most states hand the decision to a judge rather than a calculator. Still, several common guideline formulas circulate, and they share a logic: support rises with the gap between the two incomes and falls as the lower earner's own income grows.
This estimator offers two of those guideline approaches and shows a range around the result, because real awards cluster around — rather than exactly on — any formula. Duration is tied to the length of the marriage, reflecting the widespread practice of ordering support for a fraction of the years married, with long marriages trending toward longer or indefinite support.
There's no single national formula. Many states leave the amount to a judge who weighs the income gap, marriage length, earning capacity, and the marital standard of living. Some states or counties publish guideline formulas — a common one takes roughly 30–35% of the higher earner's income minus 20–25% of the lower earner's. This calculator uses that guideline approach to produce a range.
How long does alimony last?
Duration usually scales with the marriage's length — a common rule of thumb is support lasting between a third and half of the years married, with long marriages (often 20+ years) sometimes leading to indefinite support. Rules vary by state, and remarriage or cohabitation can end support.
Is alimony taxable?
For divorces finalized in 2019 or later under U.S. federal law, alimony is not deductible by the payer and not taxable to the recipient. Older agreements may follow the prior rules, and state tax treatment can differ — confirm with a CPA.
Does cheating affect alimony?
It depends on the state. Many states are no-fault and don't factor misconduct into support; a handful allow fault like adultery to influence an award. This is one of the clearest reasons to check your state's specific rules with an attorney.