The guideline formula used here
There is no national alimony formula in the US. This calculator uses the guideline proposed by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), which many practitioners use as a starting point:
The result is capped so the lower earner’s income plus support doesn’t exceed 40% of the couple’s combined income.
Example
With incomes of $90,000 and $40,000, the formula gives $19,000 a year, but the 40% cap limits it to $12,000 a year ($1,000 a month). After a 12-year marriage, the guideline suggests about 7.2 years of support.
How long alimony lasts
What courts consider
- Each spouse’s income, earning capacity and job prospects
- The standard of living during the marriage
- Age, health, and contributions as a homemaker or caregiver
- Child custody arrangements and child support
- Prenuptial agreements and, in some states, marital misconduct
Related Family & Household Financial Tools
Managing spousal support obligations requires careful post-divorce cash flow structuring. Calculate statutory parental responsibilities with our Child Support Calculator, build a sustainable single-income spending plan using the Budget Calculator, determine after-tax cash flow via the Take Home Pay Calculator, and evaluate tax brackets using the Tax Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is alimony taxable?
For divorces finalized after 2018, alimony is not deductible by the payer and not taxable income for the recipient under federal law. Older agreements may follow the previous rules.
Can alimony be changed later?
Often yes, if circumstances change substantially — such as job loss, a large income change, or the recipient remarrying — unless the agreement says it's non-modifiable.
Do all states use this formula?
No. Some states, counties and courts have their own formulas; others leave it entirely to the judge's discretion. Treat this as a ballpark figure.