Alimony Calculator — All
50 States

About 13 states use a statutory formula to calculate alimony — for example, New York's formula is 40% of the higher-earning spouse's income minus 50% of the lower-earning spouse's income, up to a cap. The remaining states give judges broad discretion to set an amount based on factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, standard of living, and financial need. This calculator applies your state's specific rules.

Alimony duration depends on the type awarded and the state. Temporary alimony ends at divorce. Rehabilitative alimony typically lasts 1–5 years while the recipient re-enters the workforce. Durational alimony is usually awarded for a period equal to half the length of the marriage. Permanent alimony — rare and mostly reserved for long marriages — can last until the recipient remarries or either party dies.

For divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony is NOT tax-deductible for the payor and NOT taxable income for the recipient. This changed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). For agreements signed before January 1, 2019, the old rules still apply: alimony is deductible by the payor and taxable income for the recipient, unless the agreement was modified to adopt the new rules.

Yes, in most states, alimony can be modified if there's a substantial change in circumstances — such as the recipient getting remarried, the payor losing their job, or a significant change in either party's income. Some agreements are 'non-modifiable' — these cannot be changed regardless of circumstances. Courts generally require you to show that the change was unforeseen at the time of the original order.

In virtually every state, the recipient's remarriage automatically terminates alimony. Cohabitation with a romantic partner may also reduce or terminate alimony in many states, though the standard for proving cohabitation varies. The payor's remarriage does not typically end the obligation, though a significant change in financial circumstances (like taking on a second family) may be grounds for modification.