Maryland Spousal Support Calculator

Calculate Alimony Under MD Family Law § 11-106 — Updated for the 2025/2026 Reforms

📋 Maryland Divorce Reforms (Effective October 1, 2025)
No-Fault Only: couples may file for divorce after 6 months of separation, regardless of fault
HB 1018 — Assumable Mortgages: one spouse may assume the marital mortgage without refinancing
HB 275 — Child Support Multifamily Adjustment: credits for children in multiple households affect child support, not alimony directly
Maryland has no statutory alimony formula. Courts weigh 12 factors under MD Family Law §11-106 with broad discretion. This calculator's amounts are estimates based on common judicial practice.
Use this free Maryland spousal support calculator to estimate alimony under MD Family Law §11-106. Whether your divorce is in Montgomery County, Howard County, Baltimore County, or anywhere else in Maryland, this tool applies Maryland's 12 statutory factors and the 2025/2026 reforms — including no-fault-only divorce and assumable mortgages (HB 1018). Wondering how much alimony you may pay or receive, or whether your case may qualify for indefinite alimony? Enter your details below for a step-by-step estimate. Always consult a licensed Maryland divorce attorney for advice specific to your case.

Income Information

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Marriage Details

Please enter a valid duration between 0–100 years
Please enter a valid past date
Marriage less than 5 years? (auto-set from duration)
Marriage 20+ years? ℹ️Marriages of 20+ years may qualify for indefinite alimony if the disparity in living standards would otherwise be unconscionable (Roginsky v. Blake-Roginsky).
Is recipient custodial parent? ℹ️Check if the alimony recipient has primary physical custody of minor children. Courts consider the financial impact of raising children, including limited job availability and increased housing/transportation costs for the primary custodian (MD Family Law §11-106).

Maryland-Specific Factors

Domestic violence involved? ℹ️Maryland courts may increase alimony for victims of domestic violence under §11-106.

Maryland Domestic Violence Impact (MD Family Law §11-106):

  • 10–20% increase in alimony amounts typically awarded
  • May qualify for longer duration regardless of marriage duration
Fault-based factors? (economic misconduct) ℹ️Since the October 2025 reform, Maryland is no-fault only for filing. However, marital conduct such as adultery or economic misconduct may still be weighed as one of the 12 statutory factors under §11-106.

Maryland Fault Considerations (Post-2025 No-Fault Reform):

  • No-fault only for filing since October 1, 2025 — couples may file after 6 months of separation
  • Adultery may still bar or limit alimony if proven in some circumstances
  • Economic misconduct (hiding assets, dissipation) may affect awards

Maryland Professional License Rules:

  • Courts may order support during license maintenance periods
  • Continuing education costs may be factored into awards

Maryland Cohabitation Rules:

  • Alimony typically terminates upon remarriage
  • Cohabitation may be grounds for modification (Turrisi v. Sanzaro)

Needs & Resources

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Please enter a valid age between 18–100

Earning Capacity

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Recipient Sacrificed Career for Marriage?
Recipient has disability?

Duration Factors

Maintain marital standard of living?
Significant separate property?
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. Not legal advice. Updated for the 2025/2026 Maryland reforms. Consult a licensed Maryland family law attorney.

Maryland Spousal Alimony Calculation Results

Alimony Type Determination

Recommended Alimony Type:

Primary Factors:

Monthly Alimony Amount

Guideline Amount:

Statutory Basis:

Duration of Alimony

Recommended Duration:

Judicial Considerations

Likely Range:

Key Factors:

Recent Maryland Alimony Case Law

Simmons v. Simmons (2024)
485 Md. 212, Court of Appeals of Maryland

Reaffirmed that rehabilitative alimony is the standard award. Indefinite alimony requires a finding of "unconscionable disparity" that persists even after the recipient becomes self-supporting.

Chen v. Kuo (2025)
262 Md. App. 89, Court of Special Appeals

Held that a payor's voluntary early retirement (age 62) without health issues does not automatically justify alimony modification; the court must weigh the parties' reasonable expectations and financial needs.

Roginsky v. Blake-Roginsky (2010, cited with approval in 2024 opinions)
416 Md. 325

Indefinite alimony may be awarded when the parties' standards of living will be "unconscionably disparate" even after the recipient becomes self-supporting.

Turrisi v. Sanzaro (2012, reaffirmed 2023)
208 Md. App. 196

Cohabitation may be grounds for modification or termination of alimony if it results in a change in the recipient's financial needs.

Modifying Alimony in Maryland

Maryland courts may modify alimony upon a showing of a material change in circumstances.

1. Legal Standards for Modification
Material Change Required: The change must be substantial and ongoing — temporary fluctuations are insufficient.
Automatic Termination on Remarriage: Alimony terminates automatically upon the recipient's remarriage.
Cohabitation Requires a Change in Financial Need: Cohabitation may be grounds for modification or termination only if it results in an actual change in the recipient's financial needs (Turrisi v. Sanzaro, 2012, reaffirmed 2023).
Indefinite Alimony Can Be Revisited: If the "unconscionable disparity" finding that supported an indefinite award no longer applies, the payor may petition for modification (Roginsky v. Blake-Roginsky, 2010, cited with approval in 2024).
Voluntary Early Retirement Is Not Automatic Grounds: A payor's voluntary early retirement (age 62) without health issues does not automatically justify modification; the court weighs the parties' reasonable expectations and financial needs (Chen v. Kuo, 2025).
2. Common Grounds for Modification
Recipient's Remarriage: Automatic termination; payor should still file to formally close out the order.
Payor's Retirement at a Reasonable Age: Typically 65+; early retirement without health issues faces heightened scrutiny (Chen v. Kuo).
Significant Income or Employment Change: For either party.
Proven Cohabitation: Resulting in a change in the recipient's financial needs (Turrisi v. Sanzaro).
Disability or Health Change: Affecting either party's ability to work.
Change in Indefinite Alimony's Underlying Finding: If the standards of living are no longer "unconscionably disparate."
3. Step-by-Step Modification Process
Step 1 – Gather Evidence: Tax returns, pay stubs, retirement account statements, medical records, proof of cohabitation and changed financial need.
Step 2 – File a Petition for Modification: Submit to the Maryland circuit court that entered the original order.
Step 3 – Serve Notice: Formally serve the other party per Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure.
Step 4 – Mediation: Many Maryland counties encourage mediation before a contested hearing.
Step 5 – Court Hearing: If unresolved, present evidence before the circuit court.
Step 6 – Order on Modification: Modification petitions take effect from the filing date, not retroactively.
4. Critical Practical Considerations
Never stop paying without a court order: Doing so risks contempt and arrears accumulation.
No retroactive modification: Act promptly when circumstances change, since relief runs only from the filing date.
Rehabilitative is the default award: Indefinite alimony requires a specific finding of "unconscionable disparity" — don't assume an indefinite award without documenting this standard (Simmons v. Simmons, 2024).
Document early retirement carefully: Courts scrutinize voluntary early retirement claims against the parties' reasonable expectations at the time of the original order.

Maryland Spousal Alimony FAQs

What are the key Maryland divorce law changes for 2025/2026?

Significant reforms took effect October 1, 2025:

  • No-Fault Only: Only no-fault grounds; couples can file after six months of separation.
  • Assumable Mortgages (HB 1018): One spouse may assume the marital mortgage without refinancing.
  • Child Support "Multifamily Adjustment" (HB 275): Credits for children in multiple households affect child support but not alimony directly.
What types of alimony exist in Maryland?

Pendente Lite: During divorce proceedings.
Rehabilitative: For education/training to become self-supporting; this is the standard award.
Indefinite: For long-term needs; requires a finding of unconscionable disparity.

How is alimony calculated in Maryland?

Maryland uses 12 statutory factors (MD Family Law §11-106), including marriage duration, standard of living, age, health, earning capacity, contributions as homemaker, and financial needs. There is no strict formula; judges have broad discretion.

How does marriage length affect alimony?

Under 5 years: Typically no alimony unless exceptional circumstances.
5–20 years: Alimony for 20–50% of marriage duration.
20+ years: May receive indefinite alimony in appropriate cases.

Can alimony be modified or terminated?

Yes. Automatic termination upon remarriage. Modification requires a material change in circumstances (e.g., retirement, disability, significant income change). Under Chen v. Kuo (2025), early retirement is not automatic grounds for modification.

How does retirement affect alimony?

Payor may petition to modify at reasonable retirement age (typically 65+). Courts examine health, financial resources, and the parties' expectations. Early retirement (before 65) may not be considered reasonable unless health-related.

How do county differences affect alimony?

Urban counties (Montgomery, Howard) typically award higher alimony due to higher cost of living. Rural counties generally award lower amounts. Judges consider local housing costs and wage levels.

Are alimony payments taxable in Maryland?

For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018: payments are not deductible by the payor and not taxable income for the recipient under federal law (TCJA). Maryland follows federal tax treatment.