Colorado Alimony Calculator

Colorado Maintenance (Alimony) Calculator

Understanding Colorado Alimony (Spousal Maintenance)

In Colorado, alimony is legally referred to as "spousal maintenance." The state provides a specific statutory formula (C.R.S. § 14-10-114) to help determine a fair amount and duration for maintenance when a couple's combined annual adjusted gross income is $240,000 or less.

The 40/50 Rule Formula

The Colorado guideline amount is calculated by taking 40% of the higher earner's monthly gross income and subtracting 50% of the lower earner's monthly gross income. However, the calculation is capped to ensure the lower earner does not end up with more than 40% of the couple's total combined monthly income.

Duration of Payments

The length of time maintenance is paid depends on the length of the marriage. Colorado law includes a table that specifies a percentage of the marriage duration. For example:

• 3 Years (36 months): Duration is roughly 31% of the marriage length (approx. 11 months).
• 5 Years (60 months): Duration is 35% of the marriage length (21 months).
• 10 Years (120 months): Duration is 45% of the marriage length (54 months).
• 12.5 Years (150 months) or more: Duration is 50% of the marriage length.

Key Factors Considered by the Court

While the calculator provides a guideline, Colorado judges consider several factors before finalizing an order, including:

• The financial resources of each party.
• The distribution of marital property.
• The lifestyle established during the marriage.
• The age and health of both spouses.
• The ability of the payor spouse to meet their own needs while paying maintenance.

Realistic Example

If Spouse A earns $120,000 annually ($10,000/mo) and Spouse B earns $36,000 annually ($3,000/mo), the calculation would be:

($10,000 * 0.40) – ($3,000 * 0.50) = $4,000 – $1,500 = $2,500 per month.

If they were married for 120 months (10 years), the duration would be 54 months of payments.