New Jersey Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support payments under New Jersey's judicial discretion guidelines.
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Spouse's Income
- Limited duration alimony cannot exceed the length of the marriage.
- Post-2018 TCJA: alimony is not tax-deductible for the payor and not taxable income for the payee (federal).
New Jersey Alimony Laws
New Jersey reformed alimony in 2014, eliminating "permanent" alimony in favor of "open durational" alimony for marriages 20+ years. Courts consider 14 factors under NJSA 2A:34-23. Typically awards are 25-33% of the income difference.
New Jersey does not use a fixed formula for calculating alimony. Instead, courts exercise broad judicial discretion when determining the amount and duration of spousal support, weighing multiple statutory factors to reach a fair outcome.
How New Jersey Calculates Spousal Support
New Jersey courts consider multiple factors when calculating spousal support, including but not limited to:
- Length of the marriage
- Income and earning capacity of each spouse
- Age and health of both parties
- Standard of living established during the marriage
- Financial resources and assets of each party
- Contributions to the marriage (including homemaking and child-rearing)
- Education, training, and employability of the requesting spouse
- The paying spouse's ability to meet their own needs while paying support
Types of Alimony Available in New Jersey
New Jersey courts may award the following types of spousal support:
- Temporary
- Limited Duration
- Rehabilitative
- Reimbursement
- Open Durational
The type of alimony awarded depends on the circumstances of the divorce, including the length of the marriage, the financial needs of the requesting spouse, and the purpose the support is intended to serve.
New Jersey Alimony Duration Guidelines
Open durational alimony available only for marriages of 20+ years. Limited duration alimony cannot exceed the length of the marriage. Rehabilitative has a fixed term.
Courts may modify the duration of alimony if there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant increase or decrease in income, retirement, remarriage of the recipient spouse, or cohabitation with a new partner.
Frequently Asked Questions: New Jersey Alimony
How is alimony calculated in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not have a fixed alimony formula. New Jersey reformed alimony in 2014, eliminating "permanent" alimony in favor of "open durational" alimony for marriages 20+ years. Courts consider 14 factors under NJSA 2A:34-23. Typically awards are 25-33% of the income difference. The court has broad discretion in determining the amount based on each party's financial situation.
How long does alimony last in New Jersey?
Open durational alimony available only for marriages of 20+ years. Limited duration alimony cannot exceed the length of the marriage. Rehabilitative has a fixed term. The actual duration depends on the specific facts of each case, and courts may adjust based on changed circumstances.
Can alimony be modified in New Jersey?
Yes, in most cases alimony can be modified in New Jersey if there is a substantial change in circumstances. Common grounds include significant changes in income, job loss, retirement, serious illness, or the recipient spouse becoming self-supporting. Some types of alimony, such as lump-sum awards, may not be modifiable.
Is alimony taxable in New Jersey?
For divorce agreements executed after December 31, 2018, alimony is not taxable income for the recipient and not tax-deductible for the payer under federal tax law (per the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). New Jersey follows federal tax treatment. For pre-2019 agreements that have not been modified, the old rules may still apply.
Does New Jersey have permanent alimony?
Yes, New Jersey allows Open Durational alimony. This is typically reserved for long-term marriages where the receiving spouse cannot become self-supporting. The types of alimony available in New Jersey include: Temporary, Limited Duration, Rehabilitative, Reimbursement, Open Durational.