How Much Alimony Will I Pay or Receive?
Estimate your monthly alimony using five major formulas used across the United States. See conservative, likely, and aggressive scenarios based on your incomes, state, and marriage length.
5 Major Alimony Formulas Explained
AAML (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers): The most widely referenced guideline formula. It calculates alimony as 30% of the higher earner's income minus 20% of the lower earner's income, capped at 40% of the combined income. While not legally binding in any state, many attorneys and mediators use it as a starting point for negotiations.
Santa Clara (California Temporary): Used for temporary support in many California counties. The formula is 40% of the payor's net income minus 50% of the payee's net income. This tends to produce higher results and is designed for pre-trial temporary support, not long-term awards.
New York Statutory Formula: New York codified its alimony formula in 2016. For incomes up to $203,000 (payor's cap), alimony equals the payor's income times 30% minus the payee's income times 20%, capped so the payee receives no more than 40% of the combined income up to the cap.
Colorado Advisory Guidelines: Colorado calculates maintenance as 40% of the combined monthly adjusted gross income minus the lower earner's income. Duration is tied to marriage length through a statutory table, ranging from 31% of the marriage for 3-year marriages to 50% for 20-year marriages.
Illinois Statutory Formula: Illinois uses 33.3% of the payor's gross income minus 25% of the payee's gross income. The result is capped so the payee does not receive more than 40% of the combined gross income. Duration is tied to marriage length through a statutory multiplier table.
Duration Guidelines by Marriage Length
Most states tie alimony duration to the length of the marriage. Short marriages (under 5 years) typically result in support lasting 1-2.5 years. Mid-length marriages (5-15 years) generally result in 3-7 years of support. Long marriages (15-20+ years) may result in extended or permanent alimony, depending on the state. California's critical threshold is 10 years, after which the court retains indefinite jurisdiction.
Factors Beyond Income
While income is the primary factor, courts also consider: the age and health of both spouses, career sacrifices made during the marriage (especially stay-at-home parenting), the standard of living established during the marriage, the receiving spouse's ability to become self-supporting, tax consequences of the award, and any existing support obligations. Judges have significant discretion to deviate from formula results based on these factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is alimony calculated?
Alimony is calculated differently in every state. The most common approach uses a formula based on the income difference between spouses, with the higher earner paying a percentage of the gap. Formulas like the AAML (30% of higher income minus 20% of lower income), New York's statutory formula, and Illinois' formula provide specific calculations. In states without formulas, judges consider a list of statutory factors including income, marriage length, age, health, and career sacrifices.
What's the average alimony payment?
The average alimony payment varies widely based on income levels and location. For median-income households, typical payments range from $400 to $1,500 per month. For higher-income households (combined income over $200,000), payments commonly range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month. The formula-based approach used in our calculator provides a more accurate estimate than averages, because alimony is fundamentally tied to each couple's specific income disparity.
How long does alimony last?
Alimony duration depends primarily on the length of the marriage. As a general rule, support lasts for 30-50% of the marriage length for shorter marriages and up to 60-70% for longer marriages. Marriages of 20+ years may qualify for permanent or indefinite alimony in many states. Duration can be modified if circumstances change substantially. Alimony typically terminates upon the recipient's remarriage and may be reduced upon cohabitation with a new partner.