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Connecticut Spousal Support Calculator

Estimate Alimony Under Connecticut Statutes

Income Information

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Marriage Details

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Marriage less than 5 years?
Marriage 20+ years?
Is recipient custodial parent? ℹ️Check if the alimony recipient has primary physical custody of minor children from the marriage

Connecticut-Specific Factors

Domestic violence involved? ℹ️Check if there was documented domestic violence in the marriage. Connecticut courts may consider this among the causes for the dissolution.

Connecticut Domestic Violence Impact:

  • May be considered among the causes for dissolution
  • Can be a factor in determining the overall fairness of the award
  • May affect the court's assessment of need and station

Considered under: Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-82

Fault-based divorce? ℹ️Connecticut considers fault (e.g., adultery, cruelty) as one of the statutory factors in alimony determinations.

Connecticut Fault Considerations:

  • Fault is a statutory factor: Connecticut courts consider the causes for dissolution under CGS § 46b-82
  • Economic misconduct: Hiding assets or intentional unemployment may also affect awards

See: Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-82

Connecticut Professional License Rules:

  • Enhanced earning capacity from licenses is considered as part of "earning capacity"
  • Not marital property, but its economic value influences support

Connecticut Cohabitation Rules:

  • Alimony typically terminates upon remarriage
  • Cohabitation may be grounds for modification if it alters financial needs
  • Payor must petition court and prove changed circumstances

See: Connell v. Connell, 313 Conn. 158 (2014)

Needs and Resources

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Connecticut Retirement Rules:

  • Retirement as a Change: May be grounds for modification
  • Court Discretion: Judges examine whether retirement is reasonable and constitutes a substantial change

Earning Capacity

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Recipient Sacrificed Career for Marriage? ℹ️Check if recipient gave up career advancement opportunities to support the marriage (e.g., relocated for spouse's job, stayed home with children). This is a key factor courts consider.
Recipient has disability? ℹ️Check if recipient has a documented disability that limits earning capacity. Health is a statutory factor and may justify longer-term support.

Duration Factors

Maintain marital standard of living? ℹ️Connecticut courts may consider maintaining the marital lifestyle, especially in long-term marriages, as part of the "station" factor.
Significant separate property? ℹ️Check if recipient has substantial assets not subject to division (inheritance, pre-marital assets). This is part of the "estate" factor.
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Important Legal Note: This calculator provides estimates only based on patterns from Connecticut statutes and case law. Connecticut has no alimony formula; awards are determined by judicial discretion after considering all factors in CGS § 46b-82. Two judges with identical facts may reach different conclusions. This estimate is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Connecticut family law attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.

Connecticut Alimony Calculation Results

Alimony Type Determination

Recommended Alimony Type:

Primary Factors:

Estimated Monthly Alimony Range

Guideline Estimate:

Statutory Basis:

Estimated Duration of Alimony

Recommended Duration:

Connecticut Guidelines:

Judicial Considerations

Likely Range Based on Discretion:

Key Statutory Factors in Your Case:

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. Connecticut law (CGS § 46b-82) does not use a mathematical formula for alimony; judges have broad discretion. The calculation is not legal advice and actual court-ordered alimony may differ significantly. Consult a licensed Connecticut family law attorney for legal advice regarding your specific situation.

Connecticut Alimony Case Law Examples

Simpson v. Simpson (2025)
Supreme Court of Connecticut, SC20988

This recent case underscores the critical importance of precise language in separation agreements. The Supreme Court ruled that ambiguous terms regarding income caps for alimony and child support calculations require examination of extrinsic evidence to determine the parties' original intent. It highlights that courts will not rewrite clear agreements but will seek to enforce the parties' bargain as understood at the time of drafting.

O'Brien v. O'Brien (2017)
326 Conn. 81

The Connecticut Supreme Court affirmed that fault can be considered in alimony determinations, particularly when the fault has economic consequences. The court emphasized that marital misconduct affecting the economic circumstances of the parties is relevant to alimony awards under CGS § 46b-82.

Simms v. Simms (2007)
283 Conn. 494

The Connecticut Supreme Court clarified that professional degrees and licenses are not marital property but their economic value may be considered in alimony calculations as part of a spouse's "earning capacity."

Borkowski v. Borkowski (1994)
228 Conn. 729

The Connecticut Supreme Court established the standard for modification of alimony based on substantial change in circumstances. The court clarified that retirement can constitute a substantial change warranting modification of alimony obligations.

Connell v. Connell (2014)
313 Conn. 158

The Connecticut Supreme Court clarified that cohabitation may be grounds for modification or termination of alimony if it alters the recipient's financial needs.

Modifying Alimony in Connecticut

Connecticut law allows for modification of alimony upon a showing of a "substantial change in circumstances" unless the original decree specifically states it is non-modifiable. Here's the process for requesting a modification:

Common Grounds for Modification

Under Connecticut law, alimony can be modified for:

A substantial and continuing change in financial circumstances (e.g., job loss, significant income increase)
Remarriage of the recipient spouse (usually terminates alimony automatically)
Payor's retirement at a reasonable age
Recipient's improved earning capacity or securing employment
Disability or health issues affecting earning capacity
Cohabitation by the recipient that alters financial needs

Modification Process

File a Motion for Modification: Submit to the court that issued the original order. The motion must demonstrate the substantial change.
Serve Notice: Legally notify the other party using certified mail or a process server.
Gather Evidence: Collect documentation (tax returns, pay stubs, medical records) supporting the change.
Court Hearing: Present evidence to the court for a decision. Modifications are not retroactive; they apply from the filing date forward.

Important Considerations

Never stop paying court-ordered alimony without a new court order. Doing so risks contempt charges, wage garnishment, or other penalties.
If a spouse voluntarily reduces income or quits work to avoid support, courts can impute income based on earning capacity.
Hiding assets during the original proceedings can lead to penalties and adjusted orders if discovered later.

Note: The modification process can take several months to over a year, depending on whether the request is contested and local court schedules.

Connecticut Alimony FAQs

Is there a formula to calculate alimony in Connecticut?

No. Unlike child support, Connecticut does not have a mathematical formula or official calculator for alimony. Awards are determined by judges who exercise broad discretion after considering all the factors listed in Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-82. This means outcomes can vary, and two similar cases might have different results.

Online calculators (including this one) can only provide estimates based on common patterns and interpretations of the law, not a legally binding calculation.

What factors do Connecticut courts actually consider?

Judges must consider all factors in CGS § 46b-82, including:

  • Length of the marriage: A primary factor influencing duration and amount.
  • Causes for the dissolution: Fault, such as adultery or cruelty, can be considered.
  • Age, health, station (lifestyle), occupation, and vocational skills of each party.
  • Amount and sources of income, and the earning capacity of each party (what they could earn, not just what they do earn).
  • Estates (assets), liabilities, and needs of each party.
How does marriage length affect alimony?

Marriage duration is one of the most significant factors:

  • Short marriages (under 5 years): Alimony is uncommon. If awarded, it's typically brief and rehabilitative.
  • Medium marriages (5-15 years): Alimony is more likely with income disparity. Duration is often proportional to the marriage length.
  • Long marriages (over 15-20 years): Stronger expectation of support. Awards may be for longer durations or, in some cases, of an indefinite/permanent nature.
What happens if the recipient starts living with a new partner?

Under Connecticut's "cohabitation statute," alimony may be suspended, reduced, or terminated if:

  1. The recipient is living with another person, and
  2. Those living arrangements cause a change in circumstances that alters the recipient's financial needs.

Important: The payor must file a motion with the court and prove the cohabitation has changed financial needs. Payments should NOT be stopped unilaterally. Alimony typically terminates automatically upon the recipient's remarriage.

Can a spouse avoid paying by quitting their job?

No. Courts determine alimony based on earning capacity, not just actual income. If a judge finds a spouse is voluntarily underemployed or has quit work to avoid support, they can "impute" income—meaning they will calculate alimony based on what that spouse is capable of earning given their education, skills, and work history. Intentional unemployment can backfire and result in an order based on a higher, imputed income.

Are alimony payments still tax-deductible?

For divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018: No. Under federal law (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017), alimony payments are no longer deductible for the payor and are not considered taxable income for the recipient.

For agreements finalized before 2019: The old rules (deductible for payor, taxable for recipient) generally still apply.

This tax change makes it crucial to calculate the after-tax impact of any proposed alimony amount during negotiations.

What is a "nominal" alimony award of $1 per year?

Sometimes a court will order a symbolic amount, like $1 per year. This is not meant to provide real support but serves a legal purpose: it preserves the court's jurisdiction over alimony. If circumstances change significantly in the future (e.g., the recipient becomes disabled), they can file a motion to modify the $1 order to a substantive amount. If alimony is denied entirely at the divorce, that door is typically closed.

When can alimony be modified or terminated?

Alimony orders are generally modifiable upon a "substantial change in circumstances". Common changes include:

  • Significant increase or loss of income
  • Recipient's remarriage (termination)
  • Payor's reasonable retirement
  • Recipient's cohabitation that reduces financial need
  • Serious illness or disability of either party

The party seeking the change must file a motion with the court and prove the change is substantial and ongoing.

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