Quick answer: Rhode Island has no alimony formula. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16, the Family Court may order either party to pay alimony or counsel fees, deciding the amount on four basic factors (the length of the marriage, the conduct of the parties during the marriage, the health, age, station, occupation, income and employability of the parties, and the estate, liabilities and needs of each) and on further factors the court shall also consider: whether a party cannot support himself or herself because he or she is the primary custodian of a child, absence from employment for homemaking, the time and expense of retraining, the probability of becoming self-supporting, the standard of living during the marriage, the opportunity for future acquisition of capital assets and income, the ability to pay of the supporting spouse and any other just and proper factor. Alimony is designed to support the recipient for a reasonable length of time to become financially independent, but the court may award it indefinitely when appropriate. The court may review and change the decree on a substantial change in circumstances, and the obligation terminates automatically and at once on the recipient’s remarriage. The assignment of property is decided first, because it affects each party’s needs.
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 the amount and term are in the court’s discretion. The factors are in the statutory factors for alimony, the purpose and duration in rehabilitative alimony and indefinite awards and remarriage, modification and the order of decisions in remarriage, modification and the order of property and alimony.
Property, child support and alimony
The court assigns property before it decides alimony. See the Rhode Island property division calculator and the Rhode Island child support calculator.
Alimony across Rhode Island
The statute applies in the Family Court, from Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, East Providence or Woonsocket.
Frequently asked questions
How is alimony calculated in Rhode Island?
There is no formula. The court decides on the factors in R.I. Gen. Laws 15-5-16(b), including the length of the marriage, conduct, income, needs, custodial duties and ability to pay.
How long does Rhode Island alimony last?
For a reasonable length of time so the recipient can become financially independent; the court may award it indefinitely when appropriate.
Does remarriage end Rhode Island alimony?
Yes. On the remarriage of the recipient the obligation terminates automatically and at once.
Can Rhode Island alimony be changed?
Yes. The court may review and alter the decree, and may make the change retroactive to the date of a substantial change in circumstances with specific findings.
Is property divided before alimony in Rhode Island?
Yes. The property assignment precedes the alimony award because it affects each party's needs.