Alimony Estimator

Alimony (spousal support) estimation combines income-based formulas with judicial discretion. Courts in the United States and many other countries use specific formulas as starting points, though final amounts depend heavily on state law, marriage duration, and individual circumstances.

Common US alimony formula (general guidelines): Guideline Amount = 30–40% of Payor’s Gross Income − 20–30% of Recipient’s Gross Income

Some states use a specific duration formula: Duration = Marriage Length × 0.3 to 0.5 (e.g., a 20-year marriage → 6–10 years of support)

What each variable means:

• Payor: the higher-earning spouse who makes support payments
• Recipient: the lower-earning spouse who receives payments
• Gross income: pre-tax earnings from all sources: wages, self-employment, investment income, rental income
• Marriage duration: the length of the marriage is the single most important factor in duration of support
• Standard of living: courts aim to maintain a standard of living reasonably comparable to what existed during the marriage

Types of alimony:

• Temporary (pendente lite): during divorce proceedings only
• Rehabilitative: for a fixed period while recipient gains education or employment skills
• Permanent: rare; typically for very long marriages (20+ years) or disabled recipients
• Lump-sum: one-time payment in lieu of ongoing monthly payments

Factors that reduce or eliminate alimony:

• Recipient remarries (terminates in most jurisdictions)
• Cohabitation with a new partner (may suspend payments)
• Recipient’s income substantially increases
• Payor retires at normal retirement age

Reference: state-specific examples

• California: no formula; judge has full discretion
• New York: 25% of payor’s income − 20% of recipient’s income (gross)
• Texas: limited to lesser of $5,000/month or 20% of payor’s gross monthly income
• Florida: based on need and ability to pay; no set formula

The 40% rule. Nearly every guideline state applies a second test on top of the formula: the support cannot leave the recipient with more than about 40% of the couple’s combined gross income. When the formula produces a number that breaks that ceiling, the award is cut back to it. The calculator applies this and tells you when it has, because a result you cannot trace back to a rule is worse than no result.

Worked example: Payor gross income: $9,000/month. Recipient gross income: $2,500/month. Marriage: 14 years.

Estimated guideline: 30% × $9,000 − 20% × $2,500 = $2,700 − $500 = $2,200/month The 40% check: combined income is $11,500, so the recipient may end up with at most $4,600. $2,500 + $2,200 = $4,700, which is over, so the award is trimmed to $2,100/month. Duration (× 0.4 for 14 years): 14 × 0.4 = 5.6 years Total estimated payments: $2,100 × 12 × 5.6 = $141,120

Notice how close that cap came to binding. On a mid-range income gap it usually does, which is why a formula quoted on its own tends to overstate what a court actually orders.

This is a starting point only. Always consult a family law attorney for jurisdiction-specific guidance.