U.S. Alimony (Support) Calculator
Estimate Alimony with the AAML Guideline: A National Overview
- ✓ Free
- ✓ No sign-up
- ✓ Runs in your browser
- ✓ Educational, not legal advice
Understanding This Spousal Support Calculator - 2026 Perspective
This tool provides a generalized alimony estimate based on the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) guideline, and shows two other commonly cited formulas for comparison. It is not a legal formula and does not predict a court outcome.
Key Realities of U.S. Alimony Law:
- State-Specific Law: Alimony is governed almost entirely by state law. The factors judges consider, the formulas they use (if any), and the duration of awards vary dramatically from state to state.
- Discretionary Awards: Most states do not have a binding statutory formula. Judges have wide discretion to weigh factors like need, ability to pay, length of marriage, and standard of living.
- Purpose of Tool: This calculator helps illustrate how common national guidelines work. For an estimate relevant to your situation, please use our state-specific calculators linked below.
Use this tool to understand how common national alimony guidelines are applied:
- Review the disclaimer and state law warnings above.
- Enter information to see how the AAML guideline calculates an amount.
- Use scenario modeling to see how changes in income affect the guideline result.
- Most importantly: Use the state selector at the top of the page or the buttons below to navigate to your state-specific calculator for a more accurate estimate.
If your state has a statutory formula, the national result here will likely be different from your state's result. If your state relies on judicial discretion, this formulaic result may have little relation to what a judge might order.
👤 Personal Information
Courts in many states consider age and health when deciding how long a recipient needs to become self-supporting:
- Training and Re-entry: Recipients who have been out of the workforce for a long time may need more time for education or training
- Health: Health conditions can limit the ability to work
- Retirement Proximity: Either spouse being near retirement age can affect the award
Age is not used in this calculator's estimate.
💰 Income Details
Include all sources of income for calculations:
- Wages/salary (before taxes)
- Bonuses and commissions
- Self-employment income
- Rental income
- Investment income
- Retirement/pension payments
- Remote work stipends/allowances
- Gig economy earnings (Uber, DoorDash, freelance)
Tax Note: For agreements executed after 2018, alimony payments are NOT deductible for federal taxes under the TCJA.
💍 Marriage Details
Marriage length matters in most states, but how it matters varies widely:
- Short marriages: Often receive little or no support
- Formula states: Some states use formulas that multiply the length of the marriage by a factor that rises with longer marriages to set the duration
- Long marriages: Longer-term or indefinite support is more likely to be considered, but availability depends on state law
This calculator uses marriage length only to suggest a default duration.
State Law Variation: Each state has its own definitions and standards for how marriage length affects awards.
Rehabilitative Alimony:
- Time-limited support with an end date
- Designed to help the recipient become self-supporting, for example through education or training
Permanent (Indefinite) Alimony:
- Has no fixed end date; typically ends on a termination event such as remarriage or death, and may be modified by a court
- Unavailable in some states and limited in others
- Does not change the monthly amount calculated here
State Law is Key: Your state's law defines what types of alimony are available and the standards for awarding them.
CRITICAL: State tax rules may differ. Some states have not conformed to the federal TCJA rules. Always verify your state's specific treatment.
💸 Monthly Expenses
Basic living expenses typically include:
- Housing (rent/mortgage)
- Utilities (electric, water, gas, internet)
- Groceries and household supplies
- Transportation
- Basic clothing and personal care
- Minimum debt payments
- Home office expenses (if remote work is expected)
Note: Luxury expenses (vacations, dining out) are typically not included in basic needs calculations, but reasonable self-improvement costs for rehabilitation may be considered.
🔒 Calculations run in your browser. Your entries are saved only in this browser (local storage) so the form can be restored; use "Reset Form" to clear them.
Calculating guideline estimate...
⚠️ This is not a legal formula. Alimony laws vary dramatically by state.
Most states do not use this or any formula and instead decide awards case-by-case based on multiple factors like need, ability to pay, and length of marriage. For a reliable estimate, use our state-specific calculator.
Advanced Scenario Modeling
This tool lets you test how different scenarios might affect the AAML guideline estimate. Run a calculation first.
Payer Income Change:
- Recalculates the guideline using the payer's income raised or lowered by this percentage
Recipient Income Change:
- Recalculates the guideline using the recipient's income raised or lowered by this percentage (for example, after a return to work)
- Has no effect if the recipient's income is $0
Assumed Child Support Reduction:
- A what-if percentage you choose, applied after the income changes; it is not derived from any formula
Remember: This models changes to a general guideline. Your state's specific laws will determine how these factors actually affect a court order.
Guideline Payment Timeline Visualization
Projected payments over time based on the AAML guideline estimate. This is for educational illustration only.
Monthly Payment Timeline
Annual Payment Comparison
Cumulative Payments Over Time
Guideline Method Comparison
First Year
Middle Years
Final Year
Total Projected
📊 How Alimony Is Determined Across the U.S.
State Law Variation is Key
There is no federal alimony formula. Each state sets its own rules, and the AAML guideline above is only a general benchmark.
Select your state above, or use the state buttons below, for state-specific rulesJudicial Discretion
Many states leave the amount and duration to the judge, who weighs factors such as each spouse's need and ability to pay, the length of the marriage, and the standard of living during the marriage.
Guideline Formulas
Some states use a statutory or presumptive formula, usually a percentage of the higher earner's income minus a percentage of the lower earner's. The percentages, the income measure (gross or net) and any income limits differ from state to state.
Caps and Duration Limits
Some states cap the amount of support, limit how long it can last, or tie the duration to the length of the marriage. Others set no fixed limits.
Types of Support
Common types include temporary (during the divorce), rehabilitative (time-limited), durational and permanent (indefinite) support. Which types are available, and when, depends on the state.
Ending and Changing Support
Support commonly ends or can be modified after events such as remarriage, cohabitation, death, or a substantial change in circumstances, but the rules differ by state and by agreement.
General overview for illustration. Laws change and vary widely, so verify the rules for your state or consult a family law attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is not a predictor of court outcomes. It provides a generalized estimate based on the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) guideline.
Alimony laws vary dramatically by state. Most states do not have a statutory alimony formula and leave awards to judicial discretion based on multiple factors like need, ability to pay, length of marriage, and standard of living.
For a more accurate estimate, use our state-specific calculators. For precise figures applicable to your unique situation, consult a family law attorney in your state.
The AAML guideline limits support so that the recipient's total income (their own income plus support) does not exceed 40% of the couple's combined income. The calculator applies this limit automatically.
Example: the payer earns $6,000/month and the recipient earns $3,000/month. The formula gives 30% × $6,000 − 20% × $3,000 = $1,200. The limit is 40% × $9,000 − $3,000 = $600, so the estimate is reduced to $600.
Note: Many states do not use this limit, and states that set limits differ in both the percentage and the income measure (gross or net) they use.
Federal Tax Treatment (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - TCJA):
For divorce or separation agreements executed on or after January 1, 2019:
- Payer: Cannot deduct alimony payments from federal taxable income.
- Recipient: Does not report alimony as federal taxable income.
For agreements executed on or before December 31, 2018, the old rules continue to apply (deductible for the payer, taxable to the recipient), even if the agreement is later modified, unless the modification expressly states that the TCJA rules apply. This federal change has no scheduled expiration.
Important Considerations:
- State Tax Variations: State tax treatment may differ from federal rules. Some states have not conformed to the TCJA. Always check your specific state's laws.
Periodic alimony can often be modified, but requires court approval. Common modification reasons include:
- The payer loses their job or has significant income reduction
- The recipient obtains substantially higher-paying employment
- Either party experiences significant health changes
- The recipient remarries or cohabitates (in most states)
- Substantial changes in the cost of living
Critical: Never stop paying or change amounts without a court order. Unilateral changes can result in contempt charges, wage garnishment, or other penalties.
Always consult an attorney about modification procedures specific to your state and situation.
There is a fundamental difference:
- This National Calculator: Provides an estimate based on the general AAML guideline. It is useful for understanding how common national principles work but does not reflect any specific state's law.
- Our State-Specific Calculators: Are programmed with the actual formulas, factors, and rules used in that particular state's courts (where such formulas exist). For states without formulas, they explain the discretionary factors judges consider.
Example: This national calculator uses the AAML 30%/20% guideline. A state calculator applies that state's own rules instead, which might use different percentages, net rather than gross income, a statutory cap, or a list of factors rather than a formula.
For any planning purposes, always use the state-specific calculator.
📈 2026 Federal Legal & Tax Updates
Federal Tax Rules Under the TCJA Have No Expiration Date
The federal tax treatment of alimony was changed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. For divorce or separation agreements executed after December 31, 2018 (on or after January 1, 2019):
• Payer: Alimony payments are NOT deductible from federal taxable income.
• Recipient: Alimony received is NOT reported as federal taxable income.
Unlike many other TCJA individual tax provisions, this change was not scheduled to expire. Agreements executed on or before December 31, 2018 keep the old rules (deductible for the payer, taxable to the recipient) unless a later modification expressly states that the new rules apply.
State vs. Federal Tax Rules
Critical Reminder: While federal tax rules are uniform, state tax treatment of alimony varies significantly. Some states conform to the federal TCJA rules, while others have not updated their laws and still follow the old rules (deductible for payer, taxable for recipient). Always verify the specific tax rules in your state as they apply to your agreement.
Some States Have Limited Open-Ended Alimony
Some states have reformed their alimony laws to limit or end indefinite support and to favor time-limited awards. Other states rely on statutory duration limits or judicial discretion, so check your state's current law.
Understanding "Permanent" Alimony
"Permanent" (indefinite) alimony generally continues until a termination event such as remarriage or death, and can often be modified by a court. Whether it is available depends on your state: some states no longer allow it, while others permit it only in limited circumstances or for long marriages.
These legal and financial developments may affect your alimony situation:
- Tax Stability: The federal tax treatment of alimony under the TCJA has no scheduled expiration for post-2018 agreements, which provides predictability.
- State Tax Variations: It is critical to verify your state's specific tax treatment of alimony, as it may differ from federal rules.
- Time-Limited Support: Some states have limited or eliminated indefinite alimony.
- Earning Capacity: Courts in many states can look at what a recipient could reasonably earn, not just current income (sometimes called imputed income).
About This Alimony Calculator Tool
This tool is designed as an educational resource to help users understand how common alimony guidelines like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) formula work. It illustrates general principles but should not be used as a predictor of court outcomes, as alimony is governed by state-specific laws that vary dramatically.
Purpose & Key Features
Educational Focus
Demonstrates how the AAML guideline (30% of payer's income minus 20% of recipient's income, limited so the recipient's total income stays at or below 40% of combined income) works, and shows two other commonly cited formulas for comparison.
State Law Emphasis
Clearly communicates that alimony is state-specific. The primary function is to direct users to our accurate, state-specific calculators for reliable estimates.
Federal Tax Overview
Summarizes the federal tax rules under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which have no scheduled expiration, while highlighting critical state tax variations.
Scenario Modeling
Allows users to test how changes in income or circumstances might affect a guideline estimate, fostering understanding of the variables involved.
Remember: This is a generalized educational tool. For estimates relevant to your specific case, please use the state-specific calculator for your jurisdiction.
State-Specific Alimony Calculators
For Accurate Estimates Based on Your State's Law: Alimony laws vary significantly by state. Click your state below for a calculator that incorporates your state's specific formulas, guidelines, and legal factors. Important: These calculators provide estimates based on actual state law, not general guidelines.
Federal Tax Information: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanently changed federal tax rules for agreements executed on or after January 1, 2019. For such agreements, alimony payments are NOT deductible by the payer and NOT taxable to the recipient. For agreements executed on or before December 31, 2018, the old rules continue to apply unless a later modification expressly adopts the new rules. CRITICAL: State tax rules may differ significantly. Always verify your state's specific tax treatment.
State Law Variations: Alimony is governed by state law. Most states do not use the AAML guideline or any binding formula. Awards are determined by judges based on statutory factors including need, ability to pay, length of marriage, and standard of living. The estimates provided by this national tool may have little relation to what a court in your specific state would order.
For Accurate Estimates: Use our state-specific calculators, which incorporate actual state formulas and guidelines where they exist.
Legal Advice: Consult a qualified family law attorney in your state for advice regarding your specific situation. Never stop paying or change court-ordered alimony amounts without a legal order.
Privacy Note: All calculations are performed locally in your browser. Your data is not sent to any server. Form data is saved locally in your browser for your convenience.