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Tennessee Spousal Support Calculator
Tennessee Spousal Support Calculator
Estimate Alimony Under Tennessee Code § 36-5-121 — Updated 2026
Use this free Tennessee alimony calculator to estimate spousal support under Tennessee Code § 36-5-121. Whether your divorce is filed in Davidson County (Nashville), Williamson County (Franklin), Shelby County (Memphis), Knox County (Knoxville), Hamilton County (Chattanooga), or anywhere else in Tennessee, this tool applies the relevant statutory factors and county cost-of-living adjustments across all five TN alimony types: Temporary, Rehabilitative, Transitional, Alimony in Futuro, and Alimony in Solido. Rehabilitative alimony is the preferred type under Tennessee law. This calculator incorporates the 2026 ruling in Compton v. Compton (alimony not automatic) and 2025 Miller v. Miller guidance on imputed income. Always consult a licensed Tennessee family law attorney for advice specific to your case.
Income Information
Please enter a valid positive number
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Marriage Details
Enter a value between 0–100 years
Please enter a valid past date
Marriage less than 5 years? ℹ️Marriages under 5 years typically result in transitional or short-term rehabilitative alimony, if awarded at all. Financial interdependence is presumed minimal.
Marriage 20+ years? ℹ️Long-term marriages (20+ years) are more likely to result in Alimony in Futuro when rehabilitation is not feasible.
Is recipient custodial parent? ℹ️Primary custody of minor children limits earning capacity. TN courts consider child-rearing responsibilities when assessing alimony need.
Tennessee-Specific Factors
Domestic violence involved? ℹ️Marital fault including domestic violence is a statutory factor under TN Code § 36-5-121(i)(11). Primary purpose remains support, not punishment.
Marital fault is a statutory factor under § 36-5-121(i)(11)
Courts consider relative fault but alimony is primarily for support, not punishment
May increase amount or duration; does not guarantee an award
Recipient still bears burden of proving need (Compton v. Compton, 2026)
Fault-based divorce? ℹ️TN recognizes fault grounds: adultery, abandonment, financial misconduct. Relative fault is one of the § 36-5-121(i) factors but does not override need and ability to pay.
Adultery: Statutory factor; may affect amount or duration
Abandonment: Considered in relative fault analysis
Financial misconduct: Wasting marital assets may increase award
Need and ability to pay remain the primary factors; fault is secondary
Needs & Resources
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Enter age 18–100
Earning Capacity
Enter 0–50 years
Recipient sacrificed career for marriage? ℹ️Recognized factor under TN Code § 36-5-121(i). Check if recipient gave up career advancement for the marriage (relocated, stayed home, supported payor's education).
Recipient has a disability? ℹ️Physical or mental disability limiting earning capacity is a statutory factor under § 36-5-121(i)(4). May support Alimony in Futuro when rehabilitation is not feasible.
Duration Factors
Maintain marital standard of living? ℹ️TN Code § 36-5-121(d)(2) defines the rehabilitation goal as achieving a standard of living reasonably comparable to the marriage. Relevant in long-term marriages.
Significant separate property? ℹ️If the recipient has substantial separate assets (inheritance, pre-marital property), this may reduce their demonstrated financial need under § 36-5-121(i).
Enter 0–50 years
Enter age 18–100
Important Legal Note: Tennessee has no official alimony formula. Judges have broad discretion under TN Code § 36-5-121. Alimony is not automatic — the recipient must affirmatively prove need (Compton v. Compton, Feb. 2026). Courts may impute income for voluntary underemployment (Miller v. Miller, 2025). Consult a licensed Tennessee family law attorney.
Tennessee Spousal Support Estimation Results
Recommended Alimony Type
Type:
Explanation:
Estimated Monthly Amount
Guideline Estimate:
Statutory Basis:
Estimated Duration & Modifiability
Duration:
Modification Rules:
Key Influencing Factors
Likely Range:
Primary Factors:
Judges consider all statutory factors under § 36-5-121(i). A large income gap alone does not guarantee alimony (Compton v. Compton, 2026).
Disclaimer: Estimates only. No mandated formula in Tennessee. For divorces after 12/31/2018: alimony is not deductible to payor nor taxable to recipient (TCJA). Tennessee has no state income tax. Not legal advice.
Tennessee Alimony Principles & Recent Case Law
No Statutory Formula; Broad Judicial Discretion
Tennessee Code § 36-5-121
Tennessee has no mathematical alimony formula. Courts weigh all statutory factors under § 36-5-121(i), with need and ability to pay as the two primary considerations. All other factors — marriage length, age, health, contributions, fault — are analyzed in the context of these two primary concerns.
Alimony Is Not Automatic — Need Must Be Proven
Compton v. Compton, No. M2024-00111-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 2026)
The Tennessee Court of Appeals upheld a trial court’s denial of alimony despite a significant income disparity. The court emphasized that alimony is not guaranteed; the requesting spouse bears the affirmative burden to prove financial need. This ruling reinforces that a lower income alone does not automatically entitle a spouse to support — trial courts have broad discretion to deny.
Rehabilitation Is the Preferred Goal
T.C.A. § 36-5-121(d)(2)
Tennessee law expressly states that rehabilitative alimony is preferred when feasible. The goal is to enable the economically disadvantaged spouse to achieve, with reasonable effort, an earning capacity that will permit a standard of living reasonably comparable to the marital standard or to the other spouse’s post-divorce standard.
Cohabitation Creates a Rebuttable Presumption
T.C.A. § 36-5-121(f)(2)(B)
Cohabitation of the recipient with a third party raises a rebuttable presumption that Alimony in Futuro and Transitional Alimony should be suspended or modified. The payor must petition the court — unilaterally stopping payments can result in contempt charges.
Underemployment & Imputed Income
Miller v. Miller, 2025 rulings (Tenn. Ct. App. 2025)
Tennessee courts may impute income to a spouse who is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed. The imputed amount is based on the spouse’s work history, education, and earning capacity — not actual current income. This can both reduce the recipient’s demonstrated need and limit the payor’s ability-to-pay defense.
Modifying Alimony in Tennessee
Tennessee law allows modification of most, but not all, alimony types. The possibility of modification depends on the type of alimony awarded and the circumstances at hand.
1. Modifiability by Alimony Type
Alimony in Futuro (Periodic): Modifiable upon a substantial and material change in circumstances. Terminates automatically on the recipient’s remarriage or death of either spouse.
Rehabilitative Alimony: Modifiable upon a substantial and material change in circumstances, including failure to follow the rehabilitation plan.
Transitional Alimony: Generally non-modifiable, unless the decree specifically allows it, both parties agree, or the recipient cohabits with a third person (§ 36-5-121(f)(2)(B)).
Alimony in Solido (Lump Sum): Typically non-modifiable under any circumstances unless the original agreement specifically provides otherwise.
Temporary Alimony: Ends automatically when the divorce is finalized; no post-decree modification available.
2. Grounds for Modification
Substantial and Material Change: The change must be significant, ongoing, and not anticipated at the time of the original order.
Involuntary Income Loss: Job loss, business failure, or major pay cut. Voluntary career changes are generally insufficient.
Recipient’s Remarriage: Automatically terminates Alimony in Futuro and Transitional Alimony.
Cohabitation: Creates a rebuttable presumption for modification of Alimony in Futuro and Transitional Alimony (§ 36-5-121(f)(2)(B)).
Disability or Health: New or worsening medical condition affecting earning capacity of either party.
Recipient’s Substantially Improved Finances: Significant increase in income or receipt of inheritance may reduce demonstrated need.
3. Step-by-Step Modification Process
Step 1 – Document the Change: Gather clear evidence: pay stubs, tax returns, medical records, termination letters, remarriage certificate.
Step 2 – File a Petition: Submit a Petition for Modification to the original court (typically a Chancery or Circuit Court in TN).
Step 3 – Serve Notice: Legally notify the other party via certified mail or process server.
Step 4 – Gather Evidence & Negotiate: Many cases settle through negotiation or mediation before a formal hearing.
Step 5 – Court Hearing: Present evidence to the judge. The burden of proof is on the party seeking modification.
4. Critical Warnings
Modifications are not retroactive: They apply from the filing date forward, not from the date circumstances changed.
Never stop paying without a court order: Risk of contempt charges, arrears, and legal penalties.
Timeline: Uncontested modifications: 3–6 months; contested: 9–18 months depending on court caseload and complexity.
TN Code § 36-5-121 | Compton v. Compton, No. M2024-00111-COA-R3-CV (Feb. 2026) | Miller v. Miller (2025)
Tennessee Spousal Support FAQs (Updated 2026)
Is there a formula to calculate alimony in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee does not have an official statutory alimony formula. Unlike child support, there is no mandated math equation. Judges have broad discretion and must consider all factors listed in Tennessee Code § 36-5-121(i), with particular emphasis on the recipient’s need and the payor’s ability to pay.
A common negotiation baseline used by practitioners: (40% of payor’s gross income) − (50% of recipient’s gross income). This is not binding on courts.
TN Code § 36-5-121(i)
What is the most important factor for Tennessee courts?
While judges must consider all statutory factors, the two primary concerns are:
The receiving spouse’s need for support (based on reasonable expenses and the marital standard of living).
The paying spouse’s ability to pay (based on income and reasonable expenses).
All other factors — length of marriage, age, health, contributions, fault — are analyzed in the context of these two primary concerns. Critically, Compton v. Compton (2026) confirms that need must be affirmatively proven; a large income gap alone is not sufficient.
TN Code § 36-5-121(i); Compton v. Compton (2026)
What does “rehabilitation” mean in Tennessee alimony law?
Rehabilitation is the preferred goal and guiding concept in Tennessee law. It means enabling the economically disadvantaged spouse to achieve, with reasonable effort, an earning capacity that will permit their standard of living after divorce to be reasonably comparable to the standard enjoyed during the marriage, or to the other spouse’s post-divorce standard.
When rehabilitation is feasible, rehabilitative alimony is the preferred type under § 36-5-121(d)(2). When rehabilitation is not feasible (due to age, disability, or very long marriage), Alimony in Futuro may be appropriate.
TN Code § 36-5-121(d)(2)
What are the five types of alimony in Tennessee?
Temporary Alimony (Pendente Lite): Paid during divorce proceedings. Ends when divorce is finalized.
Rehabilitative Alimony: Short-to-medium-term support for education or retraining. Preferred type under TN law. Modifiable.
Transitional Alimony: Short-term bridge support. Generally non-modifiable except for cohabitation or decree terms.
Alimony in Futuro (Periodic): Long-term ongoing payments. Modifiable; terminates on recipient’s remarriage or death of either party.
Alimony in Solido (Lump Sum): Fixed total amount, paid in a lump sum or installments. Generally non-modifiable under any circumstances.
TN Code § 36-5-121
What did Compton v. Compton (2026) decide?
In Compton v. Compton (February 2026), the Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed that alimony is not automatic even when there is a large income gap. The spouse requesting alimony must affirmatively prove need, and trial courts have broad discretion to deny support. A lower income alone does not guarantee an award.
This case underscores the importance of documenting actual financial need — itemized expenses, inability to meet basic costs, and the gap between needs and current income.
Compton v. Compton, No. M2024-00111-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 2026)
Can the court consider me “underemployed” and reduce alimony?
Yes. Per Miller v. Miller (2025), Tennessee courts may impute income to a spouse who is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed. If the recipient is capable of working but chooses not to, the court may calculate need based on earning capacity rather than actual income, which can reduce or eliminate alimony. The same principle applies to the payor — if the payor voluntarily reduces income, courts may base ability to pay on earning capacity.
Miller v. Miller (Tenn. Ct. App. 2025)
What if my ex starts living with a new partner?
This is called cohabitation. Under TN Code § 36-5-121(f)(2)(B), cohabitation creates a rebuttable presumption that Alimony in Futuro and Transitional Alimony should be suspended or modified. The payor must petition the court to act on this presumption. Do not stop paying on your own — you risk contempt charges and arrears accumulation.
TN Code § 36-5-121(f)(2)(B)
Are alimony payments taxable in Tennessee?
Federal Tax (Current Law): For divorce or separation agreements executed after December 31, 2018, alimony payments are not deductible for the payor and not taxable income for the recipient under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017).
Tennessee State Tax: Tennessee has no state income tax, so there is no state-level tax impact on alimony payments for either party.
Pre-2019 agreements may have different federal tax treatment. Consult a tax professional.
IRC §71; Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Can I get alimony if we weren’t married very long?
The length of the marriage is a significant factor. In shorter marriages (often under 5 years), courts are less likely to award long-term or substantial alimony because financial interdependence is typically minimal. However, it is not impossible. If there is clear need (e.g., one spouse gave up a career to relocate for the other) and ability to pay, a court might award short-term transitional or rehabilitative alimony.
Per Compton v. Compton (2026), the requesting spouse must still affirmatively prove need regardless of marriage length.