Start with the applicable state
Choose your alimony calculator
Open a state tool to enter income and case details and see the result update. All three tools are free and show the math without requiring an account.
The correct jurisdiction matters. If parents or spouses live in different states, or an order already exists, confirm which rules apply before selecting a calculator.
What each alimony calculation represents
An alimony result may be a guideline, a local temporary illustration, or a ceiling. Check which one you are looking at before using the figure in a budget or settlement discussion.
| State | Starting point | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| California | Local temporary support illustrations | Long-term support uses the Family Code §4320 factors; there is no statewide long-term formula. California Courts long-term support guidance |
| New York | Temporary and post-divorce maintenance guidelines | Guidelines have an income cap; the calculator cannot resolve factors that may change a court’s award. New York Courts maintenance tools |
| Texas | Eligibility screening and a statutory maximum | The ceiling is the lesser of $5,000 a month or 20% of average monthly gross income; eligibility is a separate issue. Texas Family Code Chapter 8 |
Gather the information behind the inputs
A useful estimate starts with records and clearly identified assumptions. If you are missing a figure, compare plausible scenarios and note which input still needs confirmation.
- Identify whether you need an illustration of temporary support, post-divorce support, or a proposed negotiated payment.
- Gather both spouses’ income records and use the gross or net income definitions requested by your state calculator.
- Record marriage and separation dates, child support obligations, and the county where the case is pending.
- Prepare a separate household budget, including reasonable needs, available assets, debts, and expected changes in income.
- Write down disputed facts or special circumstances to discuss with a lawyer or court self-help service; a numeric input cannot settle them.
Use the result to prepare your next questions
Save the income definitions, calculation date, assumptions, and items omitted from your estimate. Two results are easier to compare when they use the same records and cover the same expenses.
Compare an illustrated monthly payment with each spouse’s household budget, then check the tool’s eligibility and duration limits. A maximum amount or a temporary calculation is not a promise of final support.
Support payments also differ from the one-time cost of the divorce. Use the divorce cost calculator to plan court fees, service, legal work, and other case expenses separately.
Find alimony rules for another state
Our calculators currently cover California, New York, and Texas. The Department of Justice court-resources directory links resources for other states. Look for your judiciary’s current family-law self-help guidance and applicable local rules.
For information about how we research calculations and describe their limits, read our methodology and editorial standards.
Frequently asked questions
Can a national calculator tell me how much alimony I will receive?
There is no amount this site can promise across jurisdictions. Our state tools provide a local temporary illustration, a guideline calculation, or a statutory ceiling depending on the state. None predicts a judge’s final order.
Does California have a permanent alimony formula?
California Courts explains that long-term support is based on statutory factors rather than a math formula. A temporary-support illustration does not determine the amount or duration at judgment.
Is the Texas maintenance maximum an expected award?
No. Chapter 8 separately addresses eligibility, amount, and duration. The statutory maximum limits what may be ordered; it does not establish that support will be awarded or that the maximum will be paid.
Where can I find rules for another state?
Use the Department of Justice court-resources directory to find your state’s judiciary, then look for current family-court self-help materials, maintenance statutes, forms, and local rules.
Sources checked October 7, 2026
Official sources
- California Courts — Temporary spousal support
Explains temporary support and why a court’s formula can be a starting point rather than the final decision.
- California Courts — Long-term spousal support
Explains the Family Code §4320 factor analysis and the absence of a long-term mathematical formula.
- New York Courts — Maintenance and child support tools
Provides the court’s temporary and post-divorce worksheets, calculators, and links to current guideline adjustments.
- Texas Family Code Chapter 8 — Maintenance
See §§8.051, 8.054, and 8.055 for eligibility, duration, and the amount ceiling.
- US Department of Justice — Court resources by state
A nationwide starting point for finding official judiciary websites and state court resources.