Estimate your spousal support payment or entitlement using state-specific formulas. Our free 2026 calculator covers all 50 states including CA, TX, FL, NY, and IL guidelines.
Calculate Alimony$1,500
Avg Monthly
5 Years
Avg Duration
10%
Divorces with Alimony
25%
Orders Modified
Alimony, also known as spousal support or spousal maintenance, is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to another during or after divorce. The purpose is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living to what was established during the marriage and provide time for economic self-sufficiency.
According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, approximately 10% of divorces include an alimony award. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) fundamentally changed alimony taxation—for divorces finalized after January 1, 2019, alimony is no longer deductible for the payer or taxable for the recipient.
Alimony laws vary significantly by state. Some states like California, New York, and Illinois use formula-based guidelines, while others like Florida and New Jersey give judges broad discretion. Recent reforms in many states have limited permanent alimony and emphasized rehabilitative support to help recipients become self-supporting.
California
guideline40% of payer income minus 50% of recipient income
Avg: $1,800/mo
Texas
statutoryLesser of $5,000/month or 20% of payer's gross income
Avg: $2,500/mo
Florida
discretionaryNeed-based; no strict formula
Avg: $1,500/mo
New York
guideline(30% of payer income) minus (20% of recipient income)
Avg: $2,200/mo
Illinois
statutory(33.33% of payer net) minus (25% of recipient net)
Avg: $1,700/mo
Massachusetts
guideline30-35% of income difference
Avg: $1,900/mo
Note: These are guideline formulas. Actual alimony depends on many factors and judge discretion.
Paid during divorce proceedings. Ends when the divorce is finalized and a permanent order is issued.
Short-term support to help the recipient gain education or job skills to become self-supporting.
Set amount for a specific period based on marriage length. Cannot exceed the marriage duration.
Ongoing support until death, remarriage, or court modification. Increasingly rare; typically for long marriages.
For divorces finalized after January 1, 2019, alimony payments are no longer tax-deductible for the payer and no longer taxable income for the recipient. This represents a significant change—consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Get a preliminary estimate using your state's formula. For legal advice, consult a family law attorney.
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