Alimony & Spousal Support — Calculators & Ceiling Checkers
Alimony is where online calculators most often invent precision. Only some states have a guideline formula. Others give only a ceiling, or only factors. This hub separates the two honestly: guideline calculators where a formula exists, and ceiling checkers where it does not. A ceiling checker never outputs a predicted award — it shows the most a court could order under the cap, and the factors that decide where inside the cap, if anywhere, an award falls.
Guideline calculators
- Illinois — 33⅓% of payor net minus 25% of payee net, 40% combined cap, duration multipliers; applies only under $500,000 combined gross and with no prior support obligation.
- New York — lower-of test with and without child support; $241,000 cap; $21,546 self-support reserve; advisory duration ranges.
- Colorado — advisory formula: 40% of combined AGI minus lower earner, 80%/75% tax adjustment; $240,000/year limit; marriage of at least 3 years.
Ceiling and factor checkers only
- Texas — lesser of $5,000/month or 20% of gross income; amount set on §8.052 factors; duration maxima 5/5/7/10 years by marriage band.
- Massachusetts — ceiling of recipient's need or 30–35% of the gross-income difference; duration caps 50/60/70/80% by marriage band, indefinite over 20 years.
- Florida — durational amount cap: lesser of need or 35% of the net-income difference; duration caps 50%/60%/75%; permanent alimony abolished for petitions from 1 July 2023.
Formula vs ceiling at a glance
| State | Type | What the tool outputs |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Guideline formula | Guideline amount and duration, subject to the 40% cap |
| New York | Guideline formula | Lower-of guideline amount and advisory duration range |
| Colorado | Advisory formula | Advisory amount and guideline term; court may depart |
| Texas | Ceiling only | Maximum amount and maximum duration — not an award |
| Massachusetts | Ceiling only | Ceiling range and duration caps — not an award |
| Florida | Ceiling only | Maximum amount and duration caps — not an award |
Frequently asked questions
These questions are shown on the page in full. They are not marked up as FAQ structured data.
Why do Texas, Massachusetts and Florida pages not give a single number?
Because their law gives a ceiling and factors, not a formula. A single number would be invented.
Does a guideline calculator decide entitlement?
No. Entitlement is decided on the statutory factors first; the formula guides amount and duration once entitlement is established.
Related
Other pages for the same jurisdiction or the same topic: