Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support / alimony — AAML formula benchmark, state variations (MA Alimony Reform, TX 20%/$5K cap, CA §4320 13 factors, NJ post-2014 reform), post-TCJA tax treatment
Last reviewed: April 2026
⚖ AAML benchmark: 30% payor − 20% recipient income. Duration often half marriage length. TCJA: not deductible/not taxable post-2019 (federal).
Your Case Details
Answer a few questions to see your estimated range.
Approximate gap between higher-earner and lower-earner.
Estimated Monthly Support
$840 — $1,560
State formulas vary significantly. This estimate uses national averages — your state's guidelines may produce a different number.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Alimony / Spousal Support Framework
Alimony (also called spousal support or maintenance) is separate from asset division. Typical amount: 20-40% of the income gap between spouses. Duration varies by state + marriage length. AAML benchmark formula: Alimony = (30% × payor's gross income) − (20% × recipient's gross income), recipient's total income (wages + alimony) capped at 40% of combined gross.
Four types of alimony: (1) Temporary (pendente lite): during proceedings. (2) Rehabilitative: enables lower-earner to gain skills — most common short marriages. (3) Durational: fixed period tied to marriage length. (4) Permanent: long marriages (usually 20+) or disability/age. Many states eliminated 'permanent' label post-2014 reforms.
Post-TCJA federal tax treatment (permanent): for divorces executed AFTER December 31, 2018, alimony is NOT deductible for payer AND NOT taxable for recipient. Major shift — removed the historical tax arbitrage favoring alimony over property settlement. Pre-2019 agreements retain old rules unless modified. California exception: SB 711 created state-level deduction for payer (CA state tax only, post-2019 agreements) — federal/state mismatch.
Alimony FAQs
How much alimony will I pay or receive?
20-40% of income gap typical. AAML formula: (30% × payer gross) − (20% × recipient gross), capped at 40% of combined gross. Example: payer earns $150K, recipient $30K: alimony = ($45K) − ($6K) = $39K/year ($3,250/month). Recipient total ($30K + $39K = $69K) is 38% of combined $180K — under 40% cap. State-specific variations apply — MA, TX, IL have different formulas.
How long does alimony last?
Short marriages (<5 years): typically no alimony OR 1-2 years rehabilitative. Mid (5-15 years): typically half the marriage length (rehabilitative or durational). Long (20+ years): indefinite or permanent in some states (NJ eliminated permanent label 2014, but durations can still be lengthy). MA formula: 50% of marriage length for 0-5 year marriages, scaling up. CA presumption: half the marriage length for marriages under 10 years.
Is alimony tax-deductible?
Federal: depends on date of divorce. Divorces executed AFTER December 31, 2018: alimony NOT deductible for payer, NOT taxable for recipient (TCJA change, permanent). Pre-2019 divorces: retained old rules (deductible/taxable) unless modified + expressly adopting new rules. California state tax: SB 711 created a state-level deduction for post-2019 agreements — mismatch with federal. Check with tax professional — complex transition rules.
Can I stop paying alimony if my ex remarries?
Usually YES — remarriage is automatic termination of alimony in most states. File motion to terminate as soon as remarriage occurs — don't unilaterally stop (could be contempt). Some states also terminate or reduce for cohabitation (living with new partner as if married) — tests vary: shared residence + financial interdependence + public hold-out as couple. CA + NJ have robust cohabitation reduction statutes.
Can alimony be modified after divorce?
YES — upon 'substantial change in circumstances'. Common grounds: (1) job loss / income reduction, (2) income increase, (3) disability / health change, (4) payer retirement at normal retirement age, (5) recipient cohabitation, (6) recipient remarriage. File motion to modify in court that issued original order. NOT retroactive — alimony owed at current rate until court modifies. File promptly on change.
What's the difference between rehabilitative and permanent alimony?
Rehabilitative: short-term support (1-5 years typical) to enable lower-earning spouse to gain education, skills, or re-enter workforce. Common for short marriages + able-bodied recipients. Durational: fixed period, typically longer (5-10 years), tied to marriage length. Permanent: long marriages or disability/age — continues until death, remarriage, or retirement. Most states have eliminated 'permanent' label post-2014 but long-duration durational alimony still common.
Does my ex-spouse's fault affect alimony?
Most states — NO (no-fault divorce). Marital misconduct (affair, DV) irrelevant to alimony amount. Exceptions — fault matters: North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, a few others. In fault-states: proven infidelity can increase support to innocent spouse or reduce to guilty spouse. DV victims in CA get mandatory enhancement under Family Code §4320(i). Consult state-specific attorney.
Is lump-sum alimony possible instead of monthly payments?
YES — 'alimony in gross' or 'lump-sum alimony'. Calculated as present value of stream of payments. Non-modifiable once paid (no future reductions possible). Advantages: financial independence, no ongoing payor-recipient relationship. Disadvantages: tax treatment varies (may be treated as property settlement, may not); recipient can't claim hardship modification. Consult tax + divorce attorney — structure matters enormously.