Arizona Alimony Calculator

Arizona Spousal Maintenance Calculator

Estimated Results

Estimated Monthly Amount:

Estimated Duration:

Note: Arizona does not have a mandatory formula. These figures are based on common guidelines used by Maricopa County courts (15-25% of income difference).

function calculateAZAlimony() { var payorIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("payorIncome").value); var recipientIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("recipientIncome").value); var marriageLength = parseFloat(document.getElementById("marriageLength").value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById("alimonyResult"); if (isNaN(payorIncome) || isNaN(recipientIncome) || isNaN(marriageLength)) { alert("Please enter valid numbers for all fields."); return; } if (payorIncome <= recipientIncome) { document.getElementById("amountRange").innerHTML = "$0 (Payor income must exceed recipient income)"; document.getElementById("durationRange").innerHTML = "0 months"; resultDiv.style.display = "block"; return; } var incomeDiff = payorIncome – recipientIncome; // Standard Maricopa County guideline rule of thumb (approx 15% to 25% of difference) var minMonthly = incomeDiff * 0.15; var maxMonthly = incomeDiff * 0.25; // Standard Duration rule of thumb (approx 30% to 50% of marriage length) var minDurationYears = marriageLength * 0.3; var maxDurationYears = marriageLength * 0.5; // Formatting output var amountText = "$" + minMonthly.toFixed(2) + " – $" + maxMonthly.toFixed(2) + " per month"; var durationText = (minDurationYears * 12).toFixed(0) + " to " + (maxDurationYears * 12).toFixed(0) + " months (" + minDurationYears.toFixed(1) + " to " + maxDurationYears.toFixed(1) + " years)"; document.getElementById("amountRange").innerHTML = amountText; document.getElementById("durationRange").innerHTML = durationText; resultDiv.style.display = "block"; }

Understanding Arizona Spousal Maintenance

In Arizona, "alimony" is legally referred to as spousal maintenance. Unlike child support, which follows a strict state-wide mathematical formula, spousal maintenance is discretionary. Judges look at the specific facts of each case to determine if a spouse is eligible and, if so, how much they should receive and for how long.

Eligibility Requirements in Arizona

Before a court calculates the amount, the requesting spouse must meet at least one of the criteria under A.R.S. § 25-319(A):

• Lacks sufficient property to provide for reasonable needs.
• Is unable to be self-sufficient through appropriate employment.
• Contributed significantly to the educational opportunities of the other spouse.
• Had a marriage of long duration and is of an age that may preclude the possibility of gaining employment to become self-sufficient.
• Has significantly reduced income or career opportunities for the benefit of the other spouse.

How the Calculation Works

While Arizona lacks a rigid formula, many practitioners and judges in counties like Maricopa refer to guidelines to establish a "starting point." Our calculator uses a common benchmark:

1. Amount: Typically ranges between 15% and 25% of the difference in the spouses' gross monthly incomes.
2. Duration: Often lasts between 30% and 50% of the total length of the marriage. For marriages over 20 years, the duration may be significantly longer.

Practical Example

Consider a couple married for 10 years. Spouse A earns $7,000 per month, and Spouse B earns $3,000 per month.

• Income Difference: $4,000.
• Estimated Amount: Between $600 (15%) and $1,000 (25%) per month.
• Estimated Duration: Between 3 years (30%) and 5 years (50%).

Factors That Influence the Final Award

A judge will refine the "rule of thumb" numbers by considering:

• The standard of living established during the marriage.
• The financial resources of both parties.
• The time necessary for the recipient to acquire education or training for employment.
• The comparative financial resources of the spouses, including their relative earning capacities.
• Excessive or abnormal expenditures, or the concealment of assets.

Legal Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate for educational purposes only. Arizona law provides judges with broad discretion, and the specific facts of your divorce may lead to a different outcome. Consult with a qualified Arizona family law attorney for a formal assessment of your case.