Use this free Mississippi spousal support calculator to estimate how much alimony you may pay or receive under Mississippi Code § 93-5-23 and the 12 Armstrong factors established in Armstrong v. Armstrong (1993). Whether your divorce is filed in Hinds County (Jackson), Madison County, Harrison County (Gulfport), DeSoto County, Lafayette County (Oxford), or anywhere else in Mississippi, this tool applies all relevant statutory factors plus county cost-of-living adjustments. Wondering how much alimony you’ll pay, whether fault grounds matter, or how Davis v. Davis (2026) affects cohabitation claims? Enter your details below for a step-by-step estimate. Always consult a licensed Mississippi family law attorney for advice specific to your case.
📋 2026 Tax Treatment: For divorce or separation agreements finalised on or after January 1, 2019 (federal TCJA), spousal support is non-deductible for the payor and non-taxable for the recipient at the federal level. Mississippi follows federal treatment — a fully tax-neutral transfer for all post-2018 agreements.
Income Information
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Marriage Details
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Marriage less than 5 years? (auto-set from duration) ℹ️Short-duration marriages (under 5 years) rarely result in long-term or permanent alimony. Rehabilitative or lump-sum support is more likely for brief marriages.
Marriage 10+ years? (long-duration) ℹ️Marriages of 10+ years are considered long-duration. Courts are more likely to award periodic or permanent alimony, especially for marriages of 20+ years.
Is recipient the custodial parent? ℹ️Primary custody reduces the recipient's ability to work full-time. Armstrong factor #3 considers earning capacity, and childcare responsibilities directly affect available working hours.
Mississippi-Specific Factors
Fault-based grounds? (adultery, desertion, cruelty) ℹ️Armstrong factor #12. Fault (adultery, habitual cruelty, desertion) can increase alimony for the innocent spouse or reduce/eliminate it for the at-fault spouse. Per O'Brien v. O'Brien (2014), fault remains relevant even in no-fault divorces.
Mississippi Fault & Alimony
Adultery can bar the adulterous spouse from receiving alimony.
Habitual cruelty, desertion, and other fault grounds are Armstrong factor #12.
Fault is considered even when divorce is granted on no-fault grounds (O’Brien v. O’Brien, 2014).
Innocent spouse may receive higher or extended alimony.
O’Brien v. O’Brien, 149 So.3d 508 (Miss. 2014); MS Code § 93-5-23
Irreconcilable differences (no-fault divorce)? ℹ️Mississippi allows divorce on irreconcilable differences (no-fault). However, fault committed during the marriage may still be raised as an Armstrong factor in alimony proceedings even in a no-fault case.
Needs and Resources
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Please enter a valid age between 18–100
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Maintain marital standard of living? (Armstrong factor #8) ℹ️Armstrong factor #8: the standard of living established during the marriage is a key benchmark for alimony. In long-term marriages, courts often aim to preserve a similar lifestyle for both parties post-divorce.
Recipient has significant separate property? ℹ️Armstrong factor #4 (assets of each party). Assets owned by the recipient reduce their financial need and may reduce alimony. Separate property includes inheritances, gifts, and pre-marital assets.
Earning Capacity & Armstrong Factors
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Recipient sacrificed career for marriage/family? ℹ️Armstrong factor #3 and #10 (sacrifice to career or education). Career sacrifices — such as leaving work to raise children or support the payor's career — are strong factors in favour of a higher or longer alimony award.
Recipient has disability or chronic illness? ℹ️Armstrong factor #6 (physical and mental health). Disability significantly reduces earning capacity and typically results in higher alimony amounts and longer — potentially indefinite — duration.
Physical or mental disability limiting employment is a key factor in awarding higher or permanent alimony.
Courts may order indefinite periodic alimony when disability prevents self-sufficiency.
Medical documentation strengthens a disability-based alimony claim.
Armstrong v. Armstrong, 618 So.2d 1278 (Miss. 1993), factor #6
⚠ Important Legal Note: Mississippi has no statutory formula for alimony. These estimates apply the 12 Armstrong factors as guidelines only. Actual court awards depend entirely on judicial discretion and the specific facts of your case. Always consult a licensed Mississippi family law attorney.
Mississippi Spousal Alimony Calculation Results
Alimony Type
Recommended Type:
Primary Factors:
Monthly Support Amount
Guideline Estimate:
Statutory Considerations:
Duration of Support
Recommended Duration:
Mississippi Guidelines:
Judicial Considerations
Likely Range:
Key Factors:
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Mississippi alimony is entirely discretionary — consult a licensed Mississippi family law attorney for guidance specific to your circumstances.
Mississippi County Cost-of-Living Reference
Mississippi courts consider local cost-of-living when assessing the marital standard of living (Armstrong factor #8). Urban counties have higher housing and living costs that influence alimony need determinations.
County
COL Factor
Avg. Rent ($/mo)
Typical Duration Range
Madison County (Suburban Jackson)
1.10 — High
~$1,300
35–55% of marriage length
Rankin County (Suburban Jackson)
1.05 — Med-High
~$1,000
30–50% of marriage length
Hinds County (Jackson)
1.00 — Medium
~$1,100
40–60% of marriage length
Harrison County (Gulfport)
1.00 — Medium
~$950
25–45% of marriage length
DeSoto County (Suburban Memphis)
0.95 — Med-Low
~$900
20–40% of marriage length
Lafayette County (Oxford)
0.90 — Med-Low
~$850
20–35% of marriage length
Other Rural County
0.85 — Low
~$700
15–30% of marriage length
Mississippi Alimony Case Law
Armstrong v. Armstrong (1993) — The Foundational 12 Factors
618 So.2d 1278 (Miss. 1993)
Established the 12 equitable factors all Mississippi chancery courts must consider when awarding alimony: (1) income and expenses; (2) health and earning capacities; (3) needs of each party; (4) obligations and assets; (5) length of the marriage; (6) presence of minor children; (7) age of parties; (8) standard of living during the marriage; (9) tax consequences; (10) fault or misconduct; (11) wasteful dissipation of assets; and (12) any other relevant equitable factors. There is no statutory formula — these factors are applied with full judicial discretion.
O'Brien v. O'Brien (2014) — Fault in No-Fault Divorces
149 So.3d 508 (Miss. 2014)
Confirmed that fault remains a relevant Armstrong factor even when divorce is granted on irreconcilable differences (no-fault) grounds. Courts may consider marital misconduct — including adultery — when setting alimony amounts and deciding whether alimony is awarded at all.
Bowe v. Bowe (1990) — Automatic Termination Events
557 So.2d 793 (Miss. 1990)
Periodic alimony terminates automatically upon the recipient's remarriage or the death of either party. Lump-sum and reimbursement alimony are vested rights and survive remarriage; only periodic and rehabilitative alimony are modifiable and subject to termination by these events.
In re Estate of Brent (2025) — Alimony Debts of Deceased Payor
Miss. Sup. Ct., June 5, 2025
Clarified that estates of deceased payors may receive credits for partial payments already made and for life insurance proceeds when courts calculate outstanding alimony obligations owed by the estate. Alimony arrears accrued before death remain enforceable against the estate.
Davis v. Davis (2026) — Cohabitation & Rehabilitative Alimony
Miss. Ct. App., Jan. 15, 2026
Held that cohabitation alone is insufficient to terminate alimony — the paying spouse must prove a substantial change in circumstances. Also ruled that rehabilitative alimony may be extended when delays in the recipient's retraining or education are beyond their control, reflecting the equitable nature of the Mississippi alimony regime.
Modifying Alimony in Mississippi
Under MS Code § 93-5-23, periodic and rehabilitative alimony can be modified upon a showing of substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Lump-sum and reimbursement alimony are not modifiable after entry.
1. Legal Standards for Modification
Substantial and Continuing Change Required: The change must be material and ongoing — temporary fluctuations are insufficient (MS Code § 93-5-23).
Automatic Termination on Remarriage: The recipient's remarriage automatically terminates periodic alimony.
Only Periodic and Rehabilitative Alimony Are Modifiable: Lump-sum and reimbursement alimony are treated as final property settlements and cannot be modified after entry.
Cohabitation Requires Proof of Substantial Change: The payor must prove the cohabitation constitutes a substantial change in the recipient's financial circumstances — mere cohabitation alone is not automatically disqualifying (Davis v. Davis, 2026).
Collaborative Law Option (effective Aug. 26, 2025): Parties may sign a collaborative participation agreement to resolve modification disputes outside of court, reducing costs and delays.
2. Common Grounds for Modification
Substantial and Continuing Financial Change: Affecting either party's income or circumstances.
Remarriage of the Recipient: Automatic termination of periodic alimony; payor should still file to formally close out the order.
Payor's Retirement at a Reasonable Age: Typically 65+.
Recipient's Materially Improved Earning Capacity or Employment: May justify reduction or termination.
Disability or Serious Health Issues: Affecting either party's ability to work.
Proven Cohabitation: Established as a substantial change through petition (Davis v. Davis).
3. Step-by-Step Modification Process
Step 1 – Gather Evidence: Tax returns, pay stubs, medical records, employment records, proof of cohabitation.
Step 2 – File a Petition for Modification: Submit to the chancery court that entered the original order.
Step 3 – Serve Notice: Serve the other party as required by Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure.
Step 4 – Mediation: Required in many Mississippi counties before a contested hearing; the 2025 collaborative law option is also available.
Step 5 – Chancery Court Hearing: If the parties cannot reach agreement, present evidence to the chancellor.
Step 6 – Order on Modification: Modifications are not retroactive — they take effect from the date the petition is filed or the court's order.
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 or order.
Confirm the alimony type before petitioning: Only periodic and rehabilitative alimony are subject to modification — lump-sum and reimbursement alimony are not.
Consider the collaborative law option: Since August 2025, a collaborative participation agreement can resolve modification disputes outside of chancery court, often at lower cost.
MS Code § 93-5-23 | Armstrong v. Armstrong, 618 So.2d 1278 (Miss. 1993) | Davis v. Davis (Miss. 2026)
Mississippi Spousal Alimony FAQs
What types of alimony exist in Mississippi?
Periodic Alimony: Ongoing monthly payments; modifiable; terminates automatically on remarriage or death of either spouse. Lump Sum Alimony: Fixed total amount paid at once or in instalments; not modifiable after entry; survives remarriage. Rehabilitative Alimony: Temporary support to fund education or vocational retraining; modifiable; may be extended when delays are beyond the recipient's control (Davis v. Davis, 2026). Reimbursement Alimony: Repayment for contributions to the other spouse's career or professional education during the marriage; not modifiable.
MS Code § 93-5-23
How is alimony calculated in Mississippi?
Mississippi has no statutory formula. Judges apply the 12 Armstrong factors including income, expenses, earning capacity, marriage length, marital standard of living, fault, health, age, tax consequences, and other equitable considerations. There is broad judicial discretion — two similar cases can produce very different outcomes depending on the chancellor and county.
Armstrong v. Armstrong, 618 So.2d 1278 (Miss. 1993)
How does marriage length affect alimony in Mississippi?
Under 5 years: Permanent alimony is very unlikely; rehabilitative or lump-sum support is more common. 5–10 years: Courts may award time-limited periodic alimony or rehabilitative support. 10–20 years: Periodic alimony likely; permanent alimony possible depending on other factors. Over 20 years: Likelihood of permanent periodic alimony increases substantially, especially where one spouse left the workforce.
Can alimony be modified or terminated?
Modifiable: Periodic and rehabilitative alimony upon a showing of substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Not modifiable: Lump-sum and reimbursement alimony after entry of the court order. Automatic termination: Recipient’s remarriage or death of either spouse terminates periodic alimony.
Bowe v. Bowe, 557 So.2d 793 (Miss. 1990)
How does fault affect alimony in Mississippi?
Fault is Armstrong factor #12. Adultery can bar the at-fault spouse from receiving alimony or substantially reduce it. Habitual cruelty and desertion are also relevant fault grounds. Per O’Brien v. O’Brien (2014), fault remains relevant even when the divorce is granted on no-fault (irreconcilable differences) grounds — courts may still hear evidence of marital misconduct in the alimony phase.
O’Brien v. O’Brien, 149 So.3d 508 (Miss. 2014)
Are alimony payments taxable in Mississippi?
For divorce or separation agreements finalised on or after January 1, 2019: payments are not deductible by the payor and not taxable income to the recipient under federal law (TCJA). Mississippi follows federal treatment — a fully tax-neutral transfer for all post-2018 agreements. Pre-2019 agreements retain the prior split-treatment rules.
Does cohabitation terminate alimony in Mississippi?
No — not automatically. Davis v. Davis (Miss. Ct. App., Jan. 15, 2026) clarified that cohabitation alone is insufficient to terminate alimony. The paying spouse must prove a substantial change in circumstances — typically that the recipient’s financial need has materially decreased due to the relationship. Courts retain discretion to reduce rather than eliminate support.
Davis v. Davis, Miss. Ct. App. (Jan. 15, 2026)
How does retirement affect alimony in Mississippi?
A paying spouse may petition to modify or terminate periodic alimony upon retirement at a reasonable age (typically 65+). Early retirement specifically to avoid alimony obligations is not considered reasonable by Mississippi courts and is unlikely to succeed as grounds for modification.
How do county differences affect alimony in Mississippi?
While all Mississippi chancery courts apply the same Armstrong factors, urban counties (Hinds, Madison) typically see higher alimony amounts due to greater housing and living costs. Judicial temperament and local norms also vary. Rural counties generally award lower amounts reflecting lower cost-of-living benchmarks. Mediation is commonly required in many counties before a contested alimony hearing.