Estimate Alimony under Utah Code § 81-4-502 & § 81-4-505 as amended by S.B. 59 (2026)
Under Utah Code §§ 81-4-501 through 81-4-505 as amended by S.B. 59 (2026).
Applied mandatory equalization rule for 10+ year marriage with stay-at-home parent under § 81-4-502(2)(j).
First appellate decision interpreting S.B. 59's cohabitation termination provision under § 81-4-505(3)(a); strictly enforced one-year deadline under § 81-4-505(3)(b).
Mandatory tax consequence consideration under § 81-4-502(2)(k) requires courts to adjust awards downward (post-2018 alimony not deductible).
Utah courts consider multiple factors under § 81-4-502(2), including: financial need, ability to pay, marriage duration, standard of living during marriage, age and health of parties, earning capacity, child care responsibilities, and tax consequences (§ 81-4-502(2)(k) — added by S.B. 59). This calculator applies these statutory factors to estimate a reasonable alimony amount.
S.B. 59 made cohabitation termination mandatory under § 81-4-505(3)(a). Previously courts had discretion. Now, if payor proves recipient cohabits (same residence + romantic relationship), the court must terminate alimony. The payor has one year from discovery to file a motion under § 81-4-505(3)(b).
Yes. Under Utah Code § 81-4-502(2)(k) (added by S.B. 59 2026), courts are required to consider tax consequences of alimony. For post-2018 divorces, alimony is not deductible to payor and not taxable to recipient — this reduces the economic benefit and may lower awards.
Utah Code § 81-4-502(2)(k); Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Under § 81-4-502(2)(f), alimony generally cannot exceed the length of the marriage. Exceptions exist for extenuating circumstances (e.g., disability). Temporary alimony paid during divorce counts toward this cap.
Under § 81-4-502(2)(h), courts may consider specific fault (adultery, abuse, financial sabotage) that substantially contributed to divorce. However, fault alone does not guarantee or preclude alimony — the primary focus is financial need and ability to pay.
Under § 81-4-502(2)(j), for marriages lasting 10+ years where one spouse stayed home to care for a child, there is a rebuttable presumption that the court should equalize the parties' standards of living. This calculator applies a 25% adjustment when that factor is selected.
Under § 81-4-504(2)(a), a payor's retirement is explicitly defined as a "substantial material change" for modification. The payor must file a petition; the court reviews reasonableness (age, health, work type). Alimony may be reduced but not automatically eliminated.