Quick answer: Ohio has no spousal support formula. Under R.C. § 3105.18, after the court has divided the property under § 3105.171, it may award reasonable spousal support to either party on request, and during the case it may award reasonable temporary support. In deciding whether support is appropriate and reasonable, and its nature, amount, terms of payment and duration, the court must consider fourteen factors: the parties’ income from all sources (including income from divided property), their relative earning abilities, ages and physical, mental and emotional conditions, retirement benefits, the duration of the marriage, whether a party who is the custodian of a minor child should seek outside work, the standard of living, relative education, relative assets and liabilities, each party’s contribution to the other’s education, training or earning ability, the time and expense to acquire education or training, tax consequences, lost income production capacity from marital responsibilities and any other relevant and equitable factor. Each party is considered to have contributed equally to the production of marital income. An award terminates on the death of either party unless the order says otherwise, and the court can modify it only if it kept jurisdiction in the decree or the separation agreement and circumstances have substantially changed.
What this calculator shows
The calculator builds a monthly ceiling from the recipient’s shortfall and the payor’s ability to pay. It does not predict an award, because duration and amount are in the court’s discretion. The factors are in the fourteen factors, duration, termination and modification in duration, termination and modification and the interaction with the property division in spousal support and property division together.
Property, child support and spousal support
The court divides the property first, and spousal support is decided without being part of that division. See the Ohio property division calculator and the Ohio child support calculator.
Spousal support across Ohio
The statute applies in every Ohio court of common pleas, from Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron or Dayton, in divorce and legal separation.
Frequently asked questions
How is spousal support calculated in Ohio?
There is no formula. The court decides whether support is appropriate and reasonable and its amount, terms and duration on fourteen factors in R.C. 3105.18(C)(1).
Does death end Ohio spousal support?
Yes. An award terminates on the death of either party unless the order expressly provides otherwise.
Can Ohio spousal support be modified?
Only if the decree or separation agreement authorizes modification and the circumstances have substantially changed in a way not accounted for in the award.
Does Ohio award temporary spousal support?
Yes. During the divorce the court may award reasonable temporary spousal support to either party.
Is property divided before spousal support in Ohio?
Yes. The court divides the property first and decides spousal support without regard to the division.