Spousal Maintenance Calculator

Spousal maintenance (previously called alimony) is a regular payment from one ex-spouse to the other after divorce. It is not automatic — it depends on whether one party has a financial need that cannot be met from their own resources, and whether the other party has the ability to pay.

Courts consider the income disparity, each party's earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage and the time needed for the receiving party to become financially independent. Maintenance can be ordered for a fixed term (joint lives with a term) or until remarriage or death.

There is no fixed formula in England and Wales, unlike child maintenance. However, a common guideline used by many solicitors is one-third of the difference between the parties' incomes. This calculator uses that indicative approach while noting that the court can deviate significantly.

UK spousal maintenance — discretionary court orders. Unlike Child Maintenance (formula-driven), spousal maintenance is set by family court at judge's discretion. Factors: marriage length, ages, income disparity, earning capacity, care of children, contributions during marriage. Trend since 2014: 'transitional' awards (limited term, encouraging financial independence) preferred over 'joint lives' orders (lifelong). Average award duration: 5-10 years. Lump-sum settlements (clean break) increasingly common — court-encouraged.

Calculating spousal maintenance amount. No fixed formula. Courts consider: needs (essential living costs), reasonable lifestyle expectation (often based on marital standard of living), ability to pay. Sample guideline: high-earning spouse pays receiving spouse approximately 25-35% of disposable income gap. Disposable income gap example: £8,000/month vs £3,000/month gap = £5,000. Possible maintenance: £1,500-£2,000/month. Final amount tailored to family. Mediation (cheaper, faster) increasingly preferred to court hearings.

Tax treatment of spousal maintenance. Spousal maintenance is paid from POST-TAX income (payer doesn't deduct it). Recipient receives tax-free. No income tax declaration needed. Different from US 'alimony' which is tax-deductible. UK removed deduction in 1988. Impact: payer pays tax on income before paying maintenance — so a £1,000/month payment costs £1,700+ pre-tax for a higher-rate taxpayer. Lump sum: similarly post-tax — but may attract Capital Gains Tax if transferring assets (e.g. shares).

Clean break vs ongoing maintenance. Clean break: one-off settlement, no future financial claims. Court-favoured where possible. Capital lump sum, pension share, property transfer — all 'clean'. Ongoing maintenance: monthly payment, variable duration. Adjustable on 'material change in circumstances' (job loss, new partner, retirement). Both parties can apply to vary. Cohabitation by recipient: doesn't automatically end maintenance (depends on order wording). Remarriage by recipient: ends maintenance automatically.

Divorce financial settlement process. Voluntary (cheapest): mediation £1,000-£3,000, agreed financial consent order to court (£155 court fee). Solicitor-negotiated: £2,000-£8,000 each side. Court-fought: £15,000-£100,000+ each side (legal costs). MIAM (Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting): mandatory pre-court since 2014. Form E (financial disclosure): both parties complete. Pension valuations (CETV): obtain from pension provider. Hidden assets: forensic accountants £2,000-£10,000 if suspected. Court has 12-week target from first hearing to final order.