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Alimony Calculator

Free alimony calculator. Estimate potential spousal support payments based on income, marriage length, and state guidelines.

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How Alimony Is Calculated

Alimony (spousal support) calculations vary dramatically by state. Some states use formula-based approaches, while others give judges broad discretion. Common factors include: income disparity between spouses, length of marriage (longer marriages = longer/higher alimony), standard of living during marriage, age and health of both parties, earning capacity and education, and contributions to the other spouse career or education. Marriages under 5 years rarely result in long-term alimony. Marriages of 20+ years may result in indefinite support.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 changed alimony taxation for divorces finalized after 2018: alimony is no longer tax-deductible for the payer or taxable income for the recipient. This effectively increased the cost of alimony by 20-35% for high-income payers, since pre-2019 rules allowed deducting payments from taxable income.

People Also Ask

How is alimony calculated?
It varies by state. Common approaches use 30-35% of the income difference between spouses, adjusted for marriage length, children, and standard of living. Judges have significant discretion.
How long does alimony last?
Typically 30-50% of the marriage length for marriages under 20 years. Marriages of 20+ years may result in indefinite alimony. Many states have durational limits based on marriage length.
Is alimony tax deductible?
For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony is not tax-deductible for the payer and not taxable income for the recipient. Pre-2019 divorces follow the old rules.
Can alimony be modified?
Yes, in most states, alimony can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances such as job loss, retirement, remarriage of the recipient, or substantial income change.

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