Estimate potential spousal support (alimony) in Arizona based on income. This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Understanding Spousal Support in Arizona
Spousal support, often referred to as alimony, is financial assistance paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce or legal separation. In Arizona, the court aims for fairness and considers various factors when determining whether to award spousal support and in what amount and duration. While there isn't a strict statutory formula for all cases, Arizona courts often utilize guideline calculations as a starting point, particularly for marriages of moderate duration.
Arizona's Guideline Calculation for Spousal Support
For marriages lasting less than 20 years, Arizona courts often employ a guideline calculation that considers the incomes of both parties and the length of the marriage. A common guideline, based on the Alimony Guidelines created by the National Legal Research Institute (and often adapted by Arizona courts), is as follows:
Step 1: Determine the Net Monthly Income of Each Party. While this calculator uses gross income for simplicity, courts typically look at net income after taxes and mandatory deductions. For estimation purposes, we use gross income here.
Step 2: Calculate the Difference in Income. Subtract the recipient's gross monthly income from the payer's gross monthly income.
Step 3: Calculate the Temporary Spousal Support Amount. Multiply the income difference by 40% (0.40). This is a general guideline for temporary support.
Step 4: Determine the Duration of Spousal Support. The guideline suggests that spousal support should last for a period equivalent to 50% of the length of the marriage. This duration can be modified by the court based on specific circumstances.
How This Calculator Works
This calculator provides an *estimated* spousal support amount and duration based on the common Arizona guideline calculation. It uses the following logic:
It calculates the difference between the Payer's Gross Monthly Income and the Recipient's Gross Monthly Income.
It then applies a factor of 40% (0.40) to this income difference to estimate the monthly spousal support payment.
It calculates the suggested duration of support by taking 50% of the marriage duration in months.
Factors Courts Consider Beyond Income
It is crucial to understand that this calculator is a simplified tool. Arizona judges have significant discretion and consider many factors beyond simple income calculations, including but not limited to:
The financial resources of both parties, including separate property.
The standard of living established during the marriage.
The duration of the marriage.
The age and physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking support.
The ability of the paying spouse to pay.
Contributions of each spouse to the marriage, including contributions to the education or earning power of the other spouse.
Whether one spouse has foregone a career opportunity to support the other.
The ability of the recipient spouse to become self-sufficient.
The relative financial positions of the parties at the time of division of the marital property.
Disclaimer
This calculator is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed. Spousal support laws are complex, and actual outcomes can vary significantly based on individual case facts and judicial discretion. You should consult with a qualified Arizona family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.
function calculateSpousalSupport() {
var payerIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("payerIncome").value);
var recipientIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("recipientIncome").value);
var marriageDurationMonths = parseFloat(document.getElementById("marriageDurationMonths").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
resultDiv.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous results
if (isNaN(payerIncome) || isNaN(recipientIncome) || isNaN(marriageDurationMonths) ||
payerIncome < 0 || recipientIncome < 0 || marriageDurationMonths 0) {
estimatedMonthlySupport = incomeDifference * 0.40;
// Cap the support at a reasonable percentage of the payer's income (e.g., 30%) as a simplified guideline cap
var maxSupportByPayerIncome = payerIncome * 0.30;
if (estimatedMonthlySupport > maxSupportByPayerIncome) {
estimatedMonthlySupport = maxSupportByPayerIncome;
}
}
estimatedDurationMonths = marriageDurationMonths * 0.50;
estimatedDurationYears = Math.floor(estimatedDurationMonths / 12);
var remainingMonths = Math.round(estimatedDurationMonths % 12);
var durationString = "";
if (estimatedDurationYears > 0) {
durationString += estimatedDurationYears + " year" + (estimatedDurationYears !== 1 ? "s" : "");
}
if (remainingMonths > 0) {
if (durationString.length > 0) {
durationString += " ";
}
durationString += remainingMonths + " month" + (remainingMonths !== 1 ? "s" : "");
}
if (durationString.length === 0) {
durationString = "less than 1 month";
}
var resultHTML = "Estimated Monthly Support: $" + estimatedMonthlySupport.toFixed(2) + "";
resultHTML += "Estimated Duration: " + durationString + "";
resultHTML += "(Based on 40% of income difference and 50% of marriage duration)";
resultDiv.innerHTML = resultHTML;
}