What's in an alimony answer
Each state page explains how that state handles alimony: whether the law sets a formula, a cap or a duration limit, which factors a judge weighs when it does not, and what ends or changes an award. States use different names for it — Illinois and Texas, for example, call it maintenance. Every legal figure is tied to a cited source; see our methodology for how we verify each one.
Where states write a formula or a limit into law
Only some states put numbers in the statute. Examples we have read in the law itself:
- Illinois — guideline maintenance is 33 1/3% of the payor's net annual income minus 25% of the payee's, and the payee's total cannot exceed 40% of combined net income; the guidelines apply when combined gross income is under $500,000 and certain other conditions are met (750 ILCS 5/504).
- New York — when child support is also being paid, temporary maintenance is the lower of two formulas: 20% of the payor's income minus 25% of the payee's, or 40% of combined income minus the payee's income (DRL 236-B).
- Colorado — advisory guidelines start from 40% of the parties' combined monthly adjusted gross income minus the lower earner's income, reduced in some cases when the award is not tax-deductible (C.R.S. 14-10-114).
- Massachusetts — for marriages of 20 years or less, general term alimony is limited to 50% to 80% of the length of the marriage depending on its length (M.G.L. c. 208, § 49).
- Texas — court-ordered maintenance is capped at the lesser of $5,000 a month or 20% of the spouse's average monthly gross income (Tex. Fam. Code 8.055).
- Florida — durational alimony cannot exceed 50%, 60% or 75% of the length of a short, moderate or long marriage, and is not awarded after a marriage of less than three years (Fla. Stat. 61.08).
Where a state sets no formula, its page shows the statute, the factors and any duration limit — never a dollar amount the state's law does not establish.