Arizona Spousal Support Calculator

This calculator provides an estimate based on general Arizona guidelines. It is not legal advice and does not account for all factors a court may consider. Consult with a qualified attorney for personalized advice.

Understanding Arizona Spousal Support (Alimony)

In Arizona, spousal support, often referred to as alimony, is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to the other during or after a divorce or legal separation. The primary goal of spousal support is to help a spouse who may be financially dependent achieve a degree of economic self-sufficiency or to maintain a standard of living that was established during the marriage.

Factors Considered in Arizona

Arizona courts have broad discretion when determining spousal support. While there isn't a strict mathematical formula for all cases, judges consider numerous factors, including:

• The financial resources of each spouse, including their separate property.
• The ability of the payor spouse to pay.
• The reasonable needs of the recipient spouse.
• The duration of the marriage.
• The age and health of the spouses.
• The standard of living during the marriage.
• The contributions of each spouse to the marriage, including contributions as a homemaker.
• The ability of the recipient spouse to become self-supporting, including through education or training.
• Whether one spouse has foregone or impaired their earning ability for the benefit of the other spouse.
• The tax consequences of the support award.
• Whether marital misconduct occurred (though this is often a less significant factor than financial considerations).

Arizona Guidelines for Calculation (Temporary Support)

For temporary spousal support (often ordered during the divorce proceedings), Arizona courts frequently use a guideline that aims to equalize the parties' incomes after support is paid. A common approach is to calculate 25% of the payor's gross monthly income minus 30% of the recipient's gross monthly income. However, the total support awarded typically should not exceed the recipient's reasonable needs or one-third of the payor's gross income.

Formula Example (Temporary Support):

Support Amount = (0.25 * Payor's Gross Monthly Income) - (0.30 * Recipient's Gross Monthly Income)

This calculated amount is often capped to ensure it remains reasonable.

Permanent Spousal Support

Permanent spousal support (or post-decree spousal support) is typically awarded in long-term marriages where there is a significant disparity in income and earning capacity, and one spouse is unable to achieve financial independence. The duration and amount are determined by the judge based on the statutory factors mentioned above. The concept of "permanent" in Arizona doesn't always mean forever; it often means support is awarded for an indefinite period or a substantial duration, subject to modification under certain circumstances (e.g., remarriage of the recipient, death, or substantial change in circumstances).

How the Calculator Works

This calculator provides an *estimated* spousal support amount for temporary support based on a commonly used guideline in Arizona. It calculates 25% of the payor's gross monthly income and subtracts 30% of the recipient's gross monthly income. It also considers the duration of the marriage for context, as longer marriages may influence the court's decision towards more substantial or longer-term support. The calculator defaults to a temporary support calculation, as permanent support is highly fact-specific and less predictable by a simple formula.

Important Considerations:

• Not Legal Advice: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.
• Guideline vs. Actual Award: The calculated amount is based on a guideline that may not be strictly followed by all judges in all cases. Judges have discretion.
• Additional Factors: Many other factors (listed above) influence the final award, such as specific needs, marital standard of living, health, and ability to earn.
• Temporary vs. Permanent: This calculator primarily illustrates the temporary support guideline. Permanent support determinations are more complex.
• Income Definition: "Gross Monthly Income" typically includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, and other forms of compensation before taxes and deductions.

If you are involved in a divorce or considering spousal support in Arizona, it is crucial to consult with an experienced family law attorney.