Spousal Support Calculator
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is spousal support (alimony)?
Spousal support (also called alimony or maintenance) is a periodic payment made by one ex-spouse to another to assist the lower-earning spouse in maintaining their financial stability post-divorce.
How long does alimony last?
Duration varies based on the length of the marriage. A standard rule of thumb is that spousal support lasts for roughly 50% of the length of a marriage under 10 years. For long-term marriages (typically 10-20+ years depending on the state), alimony may be ordered for a longer period or indefinitely.
Is alimony tax-deductible?
Under federal tax changes enacted in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, alimony payments are **not** tax-deductible for the paying spouse, and are **not** considered taxable income for the receiving spouse for any divorce agreements executed after December 31, 2018.
How Alimony (Spousal Support) works
Alimony is intended to prevent a lower-earning ex-spouse from falling into immediate financial hardship and to enable them to maintain a standard of living close to what was established during the marriage. Unlike child support, which is strictly calculated using objective, state-mandated arithmetic formulas, spousal support calculations are highly discretionary. Courts look at a wide range of factors, including the earning capacity of each party, the extent to which the supported party contributed to the other's education or career growth, the custody arrangement of minor children, and the age and health of both spouses.
Types of Alimony: Temporary, Rehabilitative, and Permanent
Spousal support generally falls into three categories. **Temporary Alimony** (sometimes called pendente lite support) is ordered while the divorce process is ongoing to keep households stable. **Rehabilitative Alimony** is the most common form of final spousal support; it is paid for a set period to allow the lower-earning spouse to get the training, education, or experience necessary to become self-supporting. **Permanent or Indefinite Alimony** is typically reserved for long marriages (usually 10 to 20 years or more) where one spouse cannot realistically re-enter the workforce, often due to age, disability, or a long absence from work to raise children.
Modification and Termination of Support
Unless the divorce agreement explicitly states that support is non-modifiable, spousal support orders can be modified if either party experiences a "material change in circumstances." This includes job loss, substantial increases in income, or medical emergencies. Alimony almost always terminates automatically if the receiving spouse remarries or either spouse passes away. In many states, cohabitation (living with a new romantic partner) also creates a legal presumption of reduced financial need, which can be grounds to reduce or terminate spousal support.