Az Alimony Calculator

Arizona Alimony (Spousal Maintenance) Calculator

Understanding Alimony (Spousal Maintenance) in Arizona

Alimony, officially known as spousal maintenance in Arizona, is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. Unlike some states that use strict formulas, Arizona courts have significant discretion when determining whether to award spousal maintenance and, if so, for how much and for how long. The primary goal is to ensure that a spouse who is unable to meet their reasonable needs can do so, often after a long marriage or if one spouse sacrificed career opportunities for the family.

Factors Arizona Courts Consider (A.R.S. § 25-319)

Arizona Revised Statutes § 25-319 outlines the specific factors a judge must consider when deciding on spousal maintenance. These include:

1. The ability of the spouse seeking maintenance to meet their own needs independently.
2. The time necessary for the spouse seeking maintenance to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment.
3. The standard of living established during the marriage.
4. The duration of the marriage.
5. The age, employment history, earning ability, and physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking maintenance.
6. The ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought to meet their own needs while meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance.
7. The comparative financial resources of the spouses, including their comparative earning abilities.
8. The contribution of the spouse seeking maintenance to the earning ability of the other spouse.
9. The extent to which the spouse seeking maintenance has reduced their income or career opportunities for the benefit of the other spouse.
10. The financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance, including marital property apportioned to that spouse.
11. The actual and necessary expenses of the spouse seeking maintenance.
12. Marital misconduct that may have an adverse economic impact on the community estate (e.g., excessive spending, destruction of property).

How Our Calculator Works (Hypothetical Model)

Given that Arizona does not use a fixed formula, our "AZ Alimony Calculator" provides a hypothetical estimate based on a simplified model that incorporates several key factors commonly considered by courts. It is designed for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or a prediction of a court's decision.

The calculator takes into account:

• Length of Marriage: Longer marriages often lead to longer durations and potentially higher amounts of spousal maintenance.
• Income Disparity: The difference in gross annual income between the payor and recipient spouse is a primary driver of the base alimony amount.
• Recipient Spouse's Age: Older recipients may require longer periods of support, especially if re-entering the workforce is challenging.
• Recipient Spouse's Health Condition: Poor health can impact earning capacity and the ability to become self-sufficient, potentially increasing the need for support.
• Standard of Living During Marriage: Courts aim to help the recipient spouse maintain a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage, if possible.

Important Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not provide legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. The actual determination of spousal maintenance in Arizona is complex and depends on the unique circumstances of each case, as decided by a judge or through negotiation between parties. Always consult with an experienced Arizona family law attorney to understand your rights and obligations regarding spousal maintenance.

Example Scenarios:

Scenario 1: Moderate Marriage, Income Disparity

• Length of Marriage: 12 Years
• Payor Income: $90,000/year
• Recipient Income: $35,000/year
• Recipient Age: 48
• Recipient Health: Good
• Standard of Living: Medium
• Estimated Output: Monthly Alimony: ~$1,200 – $1,500; Duration: ~4-6 years; Total: ~$57,600 – $108,000

Scenario 2: Long Marriage, Significant Disparity, Health Concerns

• Length of Marriage: 25 Years
• Payor Income: $150,000/year
• Recipient Income: $20,000/year
• Recipient Age: 60
• Recipient Health: Poor
• Standard of Living: High
• Estimated Output: Monthly Alimony: ~$3,000 – $4,500; Duration: Potentially indefinite (99 years); Total: Substantial

Scenario 3: Shorter Marriage, Less Disparity

• Length of Marriage: 7 Years
• Payor Income: $70,000/year
• Recipient Income: $45,000/year
• Recipient Age: 35
• Recipient Health: Excellent
• Standard of Living: Low
• Estimated Output: Monthly Alimony: ~$300 – $500; Duration: ~1-2 years; Total: ~$3,600 – $12,000