How Long Does Spousal Maintenance Last in Arizona?
Arizona ties the duration range to the months of marriage from the date of marriage to service of the petition, from 3 to 12 months for marriages under 24 months up to 144 months (or half the marriage) for marriages of 192 months or more. Under the Rule of 65, duration is decided case by case.
How marriage length is measured
For maintenance, marriage length is the number of months from the date of marriage to the date of service of the dissolution or legal separation petition. Time before the legal marriage is left out, and periods of physical separation without a petition are included (Guidelines Section IV.B.1).
The standard duration ranges
| Marriage length | Duration range |
|---|---|
| Under 24 months | 3 to 12 months |
| 24 to under 60 months | 6 to 36 months |
| 60 to under 120 months | 6 to 48 months |
| 120 to under 192 months | 12 to 60 months |
| 192 months or more | 12 to 144 months, or 50% of the marriage if greater |
A marriage of 60 months and 1 day falls in the 6 to 48 month range. For a 25-year marriage, the 50% rule gives up to 12.5 years (150 months). The court cannot deviate from the duration ranges; the statute authorizes deviation from the amount, not the duration.
The Rule of 65
When the spouse seeking maintenance is at least 42, the marriage lasted at least 16 years (192 months) and the spouse’s age plus the marriage length is at least 65 on the date of service, the duration is within the court’s discretion and determined case by case. A 42-year-old after a 23-year marriage qualifies (42 + 23 = 65); a 40-year-old after 25 years does not meet the age requirement; a 50-year-old after 15 years does not meet the length requirement; and a 43-year-old after 17 years does not reach 65.
Disability and extraordinary circumstances
If a disability exists but it is uncertain how long it will affect self-sufficiency, the court sets a fixed term within the standard range, and the receiving spouse must file to modify before the term expires. If a condition prevents the spouse from ever becoming self-sufficient, duration is decided case by case after considering other financial resources. Extraordinary circumstances shown by clear and convincing evidence, such as being the custodian of a child who cannot be left to seek work, a catastrophic event or illness, or damages from criminal conduct against the other spouse or a child, also lead to a case-by-case range with specific findings.
Setting the specific length within the range
The court weighs the statutory factors, including the standard of living during the marriage, the marriage length, the age, employment history, earning ability and condition of the spouse seeking maintenance, the paying spouse’s ability to meet both households’ needs, comparative financial resources, contributions to the other spouse’s earning ability, reduced career opportunities, and the time needed to acquire education or training.
Questions to bring to an attorney
Ask which duration range applies on your dates, whether the Rule of 65, a disability or an extraordinary circumstance changes it, whether a fixed or indefinite term is likely, and how the amount range from the court’s calculator fits within that duration. The court cannot deviate from the duration range, so the dates matter: even a few days of marriage length can move a case into a different tier.
Start date
Unless the court orders otherwise, maintenance begins on the first day of the first month after the decree. To apply the ranges to your dates, use the Arizona spousal maintenance calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is the length of marriage measured for Arizona spousal maintenance?
In months from the date of marriage to the date the dissolution or legal separation petition was served. Time before the legal marriage is excluded.
What is the longest spousal maintenance in Arizona?
For marriages of 192 months or more, the standard range goes up to 144 months (12 years) or 50% of the marriage, whichever is greater. Under the Rule of 65, duration is decided case by case.
Can an Arizona court go beyond the duration range?
No. The statute does not authorize a deviation from the duration ranges, though the Rule of 65, permanent disability and extraordinary circumstances lead to case-by-case duration.
When does spousal maintenance start in Arizona?
Unless the court orders otherwise, on the first day of the first month following entry of the decree.
Does the Rule of 65 mean maintenance lasts until 65?
No. It means the duration is decided case by case instead of by the standard range.
Official sources
- Arizona Spousal Maintenance Guidelines (Administrative Order 2025-101)
- A.R.S. 25-319: maintenance; guidelines; computation factors
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Arizona statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Arizona attorney.