Estimate spousal support with the most comprehensive free calculator on the internet. Every factor a judge weighs — not just one number.
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Include salary, self-employment, investment income, and bonuses.
Estimate as accurately as you can — you can adjust later.
Housing, food, transportation, insurance, and essentials.
Housing, food, transportation, insurance, and essentials.
What did you spend together per month? Include all shared expenses.
California calls it spousal support. Courts weigh earning capacity heavily and often tie duration to half the marriage length for marriages under 10 years.
Payer's estimated monthly payment
$0/mo
for ~4–7.5 years
Recipient's estimated monthly support
$0/mo
for ~4–7.5 years
Based on your inputs, the most likely factor driving this estimate is: Marriage Duration
This estimate is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Actual alimony varies by jurisdiction and judge.
| Method | Monthly | Annual | Duration | Total Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income Percentage Method Most likely | $0 | $0 | 4–7.5 yr | $0 |
| Needs-Based Method | $0 | $0 | 4–7.5 yr | $0 |
| State Formula Approximation | $0 | $0 | 4–7.5 yr | $0 |
Courts in California most commonly use: State Formula
Typical duration in CA for a 10-year marriage: 4–7.5 years
Total payout (low)
$0
Total payout (high)
$0
Alimony is not tax-deductible for the payer (post-2018 TCJA).
Alimony is not taxable income for the recipient (post-2018 TCJA).
Important Tax Note
Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, alimony paid on divorce agreements signed after December 31, 2018 is not deductible for the payer and not taxable income for the recipient. If your divorce was finalized before January 1, 2019, different rules apply.
Example: If you pay $2,000/month and your marginal tax rate is 28%, under the old rules you saved ~$560/month in taxes. Today, you save $0. This single fact can change the real cost by 20–30%.
Adjust assumed earning capacity of the lower-earning spouse. Courts assign "imputed income" based on what a person could earn, not what they actually earn.
If the opposing counsel argues you could earn $0, your support may be reduced. Prepare documentation of any barriers to employment.
Total: $0
Gap
$0
Split-the-difference
$0/mo for 5.8 yr
Total: $0
| State | Method | Est. Monthly | Duration | Fault? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Your state | State Formula | $0–$0 | 4–7.5 yr | No |
| Washington | Needs-Based | $0–$0 | 4–7.5 yr | No |
| Oregon | Needs-Based | $0–$0 | 4–7.5 yr | No |
| Colorado | State Formula | $0–$0 | 4–7.5 yr | No |
| New York | State Formula | $0–$0 | 4–7.5 yr | No |
While you cannot choose where your divorce is filed, understanding how other states treat your situation helps assess whether your outcome is typical.
How Courts Actually Decide Alimony
The TCJA Tax Change Most Calculators Miss
Before 2019, alimony was deductible for the payer and taxable for the recipient. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reversed this — now the payer bears the full tax burden. For a $2,000/month payment at a 28% tax rate, the old rules saved the payer $560/month. Today: $0. This makes the effective cost 20–30% higher than pre-2019 calculations suggest.
What "Permanent" Alimony Actually Means
Permanent alimony is not truly permanent. It ends automatically upon the recipient's remarriage in nearly every state. It is also reviewable upon the payer's retirement or a significant change in either party's circumstances. Many states have moved to eliminate permanent alimony entirely, replacing it with durational limits.