Estimate spousal support payments using your state's formula or judicial discretion factors. Covers formula states like Massachusetts, Illinois, New York, and Texas, plus general estimates for all other states.
Alimony varies widely by state, income, and marriage length. In formula states, spousal support is typically 20-35% of the income difference between spouses. Duration depends on marriage length: short marriages (under 5 years) rarely result in long-term alimony, while marriages over 20 years may qualify for indefinite support. Use the calculator below for your state's specific estimate.
Alimony, also called spousal support or spousal maintenance, is calculated differently in every state. Unlike child support, which uses standardized formulas in most states, alimony relies heavily on judicial discretion in the majority of jurisdictions. Only a handful of states have adopted specific mathematical formulas, and even in those states, judges retain the authority to deviate based on individual circumstances.
The duration of alimony is as important as the monthly amount. Short marriages (under 5 years) rarely result in long-term support. Medium-length marriages (5-15 years) typically produce rehabilitative alimony designed to last until the lower earner can become self-supporting. Long marriages (over 15-20 years) may result in indefinite alimony in some states, particularly when the recipient sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage.
A critical distinction exists between agreements finalized before and after January 1, 2019. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, alimony payments from post-2018 divorces are no longer tax-deductible for the payor and no longer taxable income for the recipient. This change significantly affects the net cost of alimony for both parties. Learn how we verify our data.
Source: LegalCost.us Alimony Calculator • data verified against official state statutes, updated July 2026.
These calculators provide educational estimates only. Alimony determinations involve many factors not captured here including marital misconduct, prenuptial agreements, property division, and the standard of living established during the marriage. Always consult a licensed family law attorney in your state before making legal decisions.
Whether your state uses a formula or leaves the decision to a judge, the same handful of variables do most of the heavy lifting. Understanding them tells you more about your likely outcome than any single calculation.
Every formula subtracts something for what the recipient already earns. Two spouses making $120,000 and $110,000 generate almost no support, no matter how comfortable those salaries sound. A gap of $120,000 to $30,000 produces a very different outcome.
Duration tracks this almost everywhere, and in some states it determines whether you qualify at all. Texas will not consider maintenance for marriages under ten years unless there was family violence. Massachusetts and Illinois tie duration directly to the calendar.
If a spouse is voluntarily out of work or earning well below what their credentials would support, most courts will impute income based on what that person could reasonably earn. Cutting your hours shortly before a hearing rarely produces the intended effect.
In discretion states this is often the single most influential factor, and it is also the most document-dependent. Bank statements, credit card records, and household budgets carry weight here that argument does not.
A spouse who stepped out of the workforce to raise children, or who relocated for the other's career, starts with a stronger claim, particularly in long marriages. Courts increasingly treat this as a direct contribution to the higher earner's earning capacity.
Duration is calculated separately from amount, and it usually tracks marriage length rather than income. This is the most commonly overlooked part of the calculation, because a modest monthly figure paid over a long period costs more than a large one paid briefly.
Several states set duration by statute. Where they do, the rule is predictable enough to plan around.
| State | Marriage length | Duration limit |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 5 years or less | 50% of the marriage length |
| Massachusetts | 5 to 10 years | 60% of the marriage length |
| Massachusetts | 10 to 15 years | 70% of the marriage length |
| Massachusetts | 15 to 20 years | 80% of the marriage length |
| Texas | 10 to 20 years | 5 years |
| Texas | 20 to 30 years | 7 years |
| Texas | Over 30 years | 10 years |
| Illinois | Under 5 years | 20% of the marriage length |
| Illinois | Over 20 years | Up to 100% of the marriage length, or indefinite |
| Florida | Bridge-the-gap | 2 years maximum, non-modifiable |
| Florida | Rehabilitative | 5 years maximum, written plan required |
| California | Under 10 years | Roughly half the marriage length |
| California | 10 years or more | No fixed end date, court retains jurisdiction |
Two triggers end alimony almost everywhere regardless of the stated duration. Remarriage of the recipient terminates periodic support automatically in all fifty states, and so does the death of either party. Beyond those, most states allow modification when circumstances change substantially, including retirement, serious illness, or a significant income change on either side.
Sources: State family law statutes including Texas Family Code Chapter 8, Florida Statute 61.08, and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208. Cross-checked against the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers published guidelines. Updated July 2026.