Alimony / Spousal Support Payment Calculator

Alimony (spousal support) is a court-ordered payment from one former spouse to another after divorce. It is typically calculated based on the income difference between the spouses, the length of the marriage, and state-specific guidelines. Most states apply a percentage (usually 20-40%) to the income gap to determine the annual payment amount.

Courts consider many factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, age and health of both parties, marital lifestyle, contributions as a homemaker, child custody arrangements, separate property, and each party's ability to pay. No single factor is determinative, and judges have significant discretion in most states.

Alimony duration depends on the type and the length of the marriage. For shorter marriages (under 10 years), support often lasts one-third to one-half of the marriage length. For long-term marriages (10+ years), support may be indefinite or permanent. Rehabilitative alimony typically lasts 1-3 years. Temporary alimony ends when the divorce is finalized.

For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) eliminated the alimony deduction. Under the new rules, the payer cannot deduct alimony payments, and the recipient does not report alimony as taxable income. For pre-2019 divorces, the old rules still apply - alimony is deductible by the payer and taxable to the recipient. Modifications of pre-2019 divorces may be subject to the new rules.

State guidelines vary significantly. New York uses a formula-based approach (20% of payer's income minus 25% of recipient's income). California commonly applies 40% of the income difference. Texas has no formula and requires specific eligibility criteria. Florida, Illinois, and Colorado have their own guidelines or advisory formulas. Some states cap the duration at 50% of marriage length, while others may order indefinite support for long marriages.

Yes - alimony can typically be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as loss of job, retirement, disability, or remarriage of the recipient. Some states also consider cohabitation as grounds for modification or termination. Modification requires a court order and is not automatic. The ability to modify depends on the terms of the divorce agreement and state law.

Absolutely. All calculations are performed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your income data, marriage information, and financial details never leave your device. No data is uploaded to any server, and no signup or account is required. The calculator works completely offline after the initial page load.

Yes - this calculator is 100% free with no signup, no account, and no usage limits. Model as many scenarios as you need with different income levels, marriage lengths, state guidelines, and alimony types. No hidden charges or premium tiers for additional features.