Spousal Support Calculator in Ohio

Ohio Spousal Support Estimator

Understanding Spousal Support in Ohio

Spousal support, often referred to as alimony, is financial assistance paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce or legal separation. In Ohio, the primary goal of spousal support is to ensure that both parties can maintain a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage, or to assist a spouse in becoming self-supporting.

Ohio Law and Spousal Support Formulas

It is crucial to understand that Ohio does not have a strict statutory formula for calculating spousal support, unlike child support. Instead, Ohio Revised Code 3105.18(C)(1) provides a list of factors that courts must consider when determining whether to award spousal support and, if so, the amount and duration of such support. This means judges have significant discretion in these matters.

Factors Ohio Courts Consider:

When deciding on spousal support, an Ohio court will evaluate all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

1. The income of the parties, from all sources, including, but not limited to, income derived from property divided pursuant to section 3105.171 of the Revised Code.
2. The relative earning abilities of the parties.
3. The ages of the parties.
4. The retirement benefits of the parties.
5. The duration of the marriage.
6. The extent to which it would be inappropriate for a party, because that party will be custodian of a minor child of the marriage, to seek employment outside the home.
7. The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage.
8. The relative extent of education of the parties.
9. The relative assets and liabilities of the parties.
10. The property brought to the marriage by either party.
11. The contribution of a spouse to the education, training, or earning ability of the other spouse, including, but not limited to, any party's contribution to the acquisition of a professional degree of the other party.
12. The tax consequences for each party of an award of spousal support.
13. The lost income production capacity of either party that resulted from that party's marital responsibilities.
14. Any other factor that the court expressly finds to be relevant and equitable.

How This Calculator Works (Advisory Guideline)

Given the absence of a strict statutory formula, this calculator uses a common advisory guideline often employed by legal professionals for initial estimations or for temporary spousal support calculations in Ohio. This simplified approach typically considers the income disparity between the spouses and the length of the marriage.

Please note: This calculator provides an estimate based on a simplified advisory formula and should NOT be considered legal advice. A judge will consider all the factors listed above, and the actual spousal support award may differ significantly. Always consult with a qualified Ohio family law attorney for accurate advice regarding your specific situation.

Example Calculation:

Let's consider a scenario:

• Higher Earner's Gross Annual Income: $75,000
• Lower Earner's Gross Annual Income: $30,000
• Length of Marriage: 10 years

Using the advisory guideline:

• Income Difference: $75,000 – $30,000 = $45,000
• Estimated Annual Support (33% of difference): $45,000 * 0.33 = $14,850
• Estimated Monthly Support: $14,850 / 12 = $1,237.50
• Estimated Duration of Support (33% of marriage length): 10 years * 0.33 = 3.3 years

This example illustrates how the calculator provides a starting point, but again, a judge's final decision will be based on a comprehensive review of all statutory factors.

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