This calculator provides an estimate of potential spousal support (alimony) in a Tennessee divorce. The final amount and duration of alimony can only be determined by a court or through a settlement agreement between the parties. This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified Tennessee family law attorney.
How is Alimony Calculated in Tennessee?
Unlike child support, Tennessee does not have a rigid mathematical formula for calculating alimony. Instead, the law requires judges to consider a list of statutory factors to determine if alimony is appropriate, and if so, what type, amount, and duration. The two most critical factors are the recipient spouse's financial need and the paying spouse's ability to pay.
According to Tennessee Code Annotated ยง 36-5-121(i), the court must consider all relevant factors, including:
The relative earning capacity, obligations, needs, and financial resources of each party.
The relative education and training of each party.
The duration of the marriage.
The age and mental and physical condition of each party.
The extent to which it would be inappropriate for a party to seek employment outside the home because they are the custodian of a minor child.
The separate assets of each party.
The standard of living the parties established during the marriage.
Contributions made by each party to the marriage (including tangible and intangible contributions, and contributions to the other's education or career).
The relative fault of the parties (in cases where it is relevant).
Types of Alimony in Tennessee
Tennessee law recognizes four distinct types of alimony:
Alimony in Futuro (Periodic Alimony): Long-term support, typically awarded in long marriages where there is a significant disparity in income and one spouse cannot reasonably be expected to achieve self-sufficiency. It often terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient.
Rehabilitative Alimony: A temporary form of support designed to help a disadvantaged spouse obtain the necessary education or training to re-enter the workforce and become financially independent.
Transitional Alimony: Short-term support provided when a spouse needs assistance to adjust to the economic consequences of a divorce. It's used when rehabilitation is not necessary.
Alimony in Solido (Lump Sum): A fixed total amount of alimony, which can be paid in a single lump sum or in installments over a set period. It is not modifiable and does not terminate upon death or remarriage.
Alimony Estimation Tool
Estimated Alimony Results
Disclaimer: This is a simplified estimation based on common practices and is not a guarantee of what a court will award. The duration is particularly subjective and depends heavily on the specific facts of your case and the type of alimony awarded.
Example Alimony Calculation
Let's consider a hypothetical scenario to understand how the calculator works:
Higher-Earning Spouse's Income: $9,000 per month
Lower-Earning Spouse's Income: $3,000 per month
Marriage Duration: 18 years
The calculator first finds the difference in gross monthly incomes: $9,000 – $3,000 = $6,000. It then applies a common percentage (e.g., 20-25%) to this difference to estimate the monthly payment. For the duration, a common rule of thumb is one-third to one-half the length of the marriage, though this varies greatly. For an 18-year marriage, a court might consider a duration of 6-9 years for rehabilitative or transitional alimony, or potentially award alimony in futuro if other factors warrant it.
Important Legal Disclaimer
The information and tools provided on this page are for educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice. The calculation of alimony in Tennessee is complex and highly fact-dependent. You should consult with a licensed Tennessee family law attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation and receive advice tailored to your case.
function calculateAlimony() {
var payingSpouseIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('payingSpouseGrossIncome').value);
var recipientSpouseIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('recipientSpouseGrossIncome').value);
var marriageYears = parseFloat(document.getElementById('marriageDuration').value);
var resultsDiv = document.getElementById('results');
var resultContentDiv = document.getElementById('result-content');
// Validation
if (isNaN(payingSpouseIncome) || isNaN(recipientSpouseIncome) || isNaN(marriageYears) || payingSpouseIncome < 0 || recipientSpouseIncome < 0 || marriageYears = payingSpouseIncome) {
resultContentDiv.innerHTML = 'Based on the incomes provided, the lower-earning spouse earns the same as or more than the higher-earning spouse. Alimony is typically not awarded in this situation.';
resultsDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// Calculation Logic
// This is a common estimation method, not a legal formula.
// It often uses a percentage (20-25%) of the difference in gross incomes. We will use 22%.
var incomeDifference = payingSpouseIncome – recipientSpouseIncome;
var estimatedMonthlyAlimony = incomeDifference * 0.22;
// Duration Estimation Logic (highly speculative)
var durationText = ";
var estimatedDurationYears = 0;
if (marriageYears = 3 && marriageYears < 20) {
// Common rule of thumb is 1/3 to 1/2 the marriage length
estimatedDurationYears = marriageYears * 0.4;
durationText = 'Approximately ' + estimatedDurationYears.toFixed(1) + ' years. This would likely be Rehabilitative or Transitional Alimony.';
} else { // 20+ years
durationText = 'This is considered a long-term marriage in Tennessee. Alimony in Futuro (long-term or permanent support until death or remarriage) is a possibility, depending on other factors.';
// For calculation purposes, we can cap the duration for a total, but the text is more important.
estimatedDurationYears = marriageYears * 0.5;
}
var totalEstimatedAlimony = estimatedMonthlyAlimony * estimatedDurationYears * 12;
// Formatting for display
var currencyFormatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
});
var monthlyPaymentFormatted = currencyFormatter.format(estimatedMonthlyAlimony);
var totalPaymentFormatted = currencyFormatter.format(totalEstimatedAlimony);
// Displaying Results
var outputHTML = '';
outputHTML += '