Child Support Estimator
Compare simplified income-shares and percentage-of-income child support worksheets using monthly income and child count inputs.
Alimony Estimator
Free alimony calculator estimates spousal support payments using income differential, duration factor, and state modifier formulas.
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Monthly Alimony⧉
$2,450.00
Based on Income Shares Model (most states) formula
Annual Alimony⧉
$29,400.00
Monthly payment × 12
Estimated Duration⧉
9 years
Based on Permanent / Durational type
Total Estimated Alimony⧉
$264,600.00
Total payments over estimated duration
Payer Monthly Retained⧉
$7,550.00
Higher earner income after alimony
Receiver Total Income⧉
$5,450.00
Lower earner income plus alimony
Income Equalization⧉
41.90%
Receiver's share of combined household income
Health Insurance Share⧉
$250.00
50/50 split of health insurance cost
Post-Divorce Income Comparison
Payer (after alimony)$7,550.00/mo
Receiver (with alimony)$5,450.00/mo
Yearly Payment Projection
| Year | Annual Payment | Cumulative Total |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $29,400.00 | $29,400.00 |
| Year 2 | $29,400.00 | $58,800.00 |
| Year 3 | $29,400.00 | $88,200.00 |
| Year 4 | $29,400.00 | $117,600.00 |
| Year 5 | $29,400.00 | $147,000.00 |
| Year 6 | $29,400.00 | $176,400.00 |
| Year 7 | $29,400.00 | $205,800.00 |
| Year 8 | $29,400.00 | $235,200.00 |
| Year 9 | $29,400.00 | $264,600.00 |
Alimony Type Reference
| Type | Typical Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary | During proceedings | Support during divorce process |
| Rehabilitative | 1–5 years | Help recipient become self-supporting |
| Permanent | Long-term / indefinite | Long marriages, older/disabled spouses |
| Reimbursement | Varies | Repay spouse who funded education/career |
| Lump Sum | One-time | Single payment in lieu of ongoing support |
Estimates only. Actual alimony depends on state law, judicial discretion, and individual circumstances.
Planning notes, formulas, and examples
About the Alimony Estimator
Alimony, also called spousal support or spousal maintenance, is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to another after divorce. It is meant to reduce the economic gap created by separation and keep the lower-earning spouse from bearing the full financial shock alone.
Because alimony rules vary widely by state, this calculator uses a simplified worksheet model instead of pretending to mirror every jurisdiction. It compares the income gap under several common formula styles and projects a rough duration based on the selected support type. It is useful for planning and negotiation, not for deciding what a court will order.
When This Page Helps
Estimating alimony before divorce proceedings helps both parties plan financially. A worksheet makes the assumptions visible so settlement discussions and mediation can focus on the numbers rather than on vague expectations.
How to Use the Inputs
- Enter the higher-earning spouse's gross monthly income.
- Enter the lower-earning spouse's gross monthly income.
- Enter the marriage duration in years.
- Adjust the duration factor (typically 0.3 to 0.5).
- Adjust the state modifier if your state uses one (default 1.0).
- Review the estimated monthly and annual alimony.
Formula used
Income Difference = Higher Income − Lower Income
Income-Shares Monthly = Income Difference × 0.35 × State Modifier × Child Adjustment
Percentage Monthly = Income Difference × 0.33 × State Modifier × Child Adjustment
Melson Monthly = Income Difference × 0.30 × State Modifier × Child Adjustment
AAML Monthly = (Higher Income × 0.30 − Lower Income × 0.20) × State Modifier × Child Adjustment
Child Adjustment = max(1 − 0.05 × Number of Children, 0)
Duration Estimate = based on selected alimony type and marriage length, then capped by the worksheet rulesExample Calculation
Result: $2,450/month
Income difference is $10,000 − $3,000 = $7,000. Under the income-shares worksheet rule, $7,000 × 0.35 = $2,450 per month before any duration estimate or other adjustments.
Tips & Best Practices
- Longer marriages generally result in higher duration factors and longer support periods.
- Some states cap alimony at 30-40% of the income differential.
- Rehabilitative alimony is temporary and ends when the recipient becomes self-supporting.
- Permanent alimony is typically reserved for marriages of 20+ years.
- Alimony tax treatment changed for agreements executed after 2018, so check the IRS rules for your filing year before relying on any tax assumption.
- Cohabitation or remarriage by the recipient often terminates alimony.
Types of Alimony
Temporary alimony (pendente lite) is paid during divorce proceedings. Rehabilitative alimony supports the recipient while they gain education or skills. Permanent alimony continues indefinitely for long marriages. Lump-sum alimony is a one-time payment instead of periodic support.
State Variations
States like California use a formula-based approach for temporary support while considering multiple factors for permanent orders. New York applies a specific formula capping duration. Texas limits alimony to the lesser of $5,000/month or 20% of income. Always check your specific jurisdiction.
Negotiation Strategies
Many divorces settle alimony through negotiation rather than litigation. Common strategies include trading alimony for a larger share of marital assets, agreeing to a lump sum, or setting step-down payments that decrease over time.
Sources & Methodology
Last updated:
Methodology
This worksheet uses simplified support heuristics to compare monthly income differences under several common alimony-style formulas. Depending on the selected formula type, it applies a fixed base factor, an optional state modifier, and a child adjustment, then uses the selected alimony type to project a rough duration.
The result is intentionally framed as a planning worksheet. It does not decide whether support is legally available, which formula a court would use, whether any duration cap applies, or how a judge would weigh local statutory factors. Those questions remain jurisdiction-specific.
Sources
- Spousal support (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School) — General legal reference explaining that spousal support varies by state and depends on multiple factors.
- Alimony (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School) — General overview of alimony and the factors courts may consider.
- Topic No. 452, Alimony and separate maintenance (Internal Revenue Service) — Official tax reference for the post-2018 federal alimony treatment note used in the FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alimony supports the lower-earning spouse while child support specifically covers children's needs. They are calculated separately and can be awarded simultaneously. Alimony ends upon remarriage or death; child support continues until children reach majority.
Duration depends on marriage length, the selected worksheet type, and state law. This calculator uses a simplified duration estimate so you can compare scenarios; it does not predict a court order.
Yes. Either party can request modification due to substantial changes in income, employment, health, or living circumstances. The requesting party must demonstrate a material change not anticipated at the time of the original order.
For divorce or separation instruments executed after December 31, 2018, alimony is generally not deductible by the payer and not taxable to the recipient under federal tax law, unless a later modification says otherwise.
Courts typically consider income disparity, marriage duration, each spouse's earning capacity, age and health, standard of living during marriage, contributions (including homemaking), and the ability of the paying spouse to support themselves while paying. Use this calculator to model scenarios, not to predict an outcome.
Yes. Spouses can negotiate alimony through mediation or collaborative divorce and submit the agreement to the court for approval. The calculator is a worksheet for those negotiations, not a substitute for the agreement or the court review.
More in this topic
Divorce Cost Estimator
Free divorce cost calculator estimates total expenses including filing fees, attorney costs, mediator fees, expert witnesses, and court costs.
Spousal Support Duration Calculator
Free spousal support duration worksheet. Review broad duration ranges from marriage length and household context without treating them as current-law results.