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Alabama Alimony Calculator (2026)

Under Ala. Code § 30-2-57, the 2018 reform presumes rehabilitative alimony and limits it to five years unless longer support is clearly needed. Alabama courts still decide each case on the statutory factors, so any figure you see here is only a rule‑of‑thumb estimate, not a legal determination.

Reviewed 2026-09-02 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.

Alabama has no statutory alimony formula. Courts decide case by case under Ala. Code § 30-2-57. The calculator below shows a widely used rule of thumb (the AAML guideline) as a negotiation starting point — it is not the law and a judge may land anywhere the factors justify.
Before taxes.
Before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Alabama alimony (2018 reform: rehabilitative alimony presumed) — Ala. Code § 30-2-57.

How Alabama calculates it

  • Take the higher‑earning spouse’s annual gross income and multiply by 30%.
  • Take the lower‑earning spouse’s annual gross income and multiply by 20%.
  • Subtract the lower‑earner amount from the higher‑earner amount to get a preliminary yearly support figure.
  • If the recipient’s total income would exceed 40% of the combined income, reduce the support so the recipient stays at that 40% threshold.
  • Apply the duration guide: 30% of marriage length for marriages under 3 years, 50% for 3–10 years, 75% for 10–20 years, and indefinite for marriages over 20 years.

Worked example

In the example, the higher earner makes $100,000 per year and the lower earner makes $40,000 per year in a 12‑year marriage. Applying the rule‑of‑thumb, 30% of $100,000 equals $30,000 and 20% of $40,000 equals $8,000, giving a $22,000 yearly difference. The 40% combined‑income cap reduces this to $16,000 per year, which works out to about $1,333 per month as a starting point. For a 12‑year marriage (which falls in the 10–20‑year bracket), the duration guide recommends 75% of 144 months, or roughly 108 months of support. The court, however, is not bound by any of these estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive alimony after a marriage that lasted less than three years in Alabama?

Alabama courts may award rehabilitative alimony for short marriages, but the rule‑of‑thumb suggests a duration of 30% of the marriage length, and the 2018 reform still limits such support to five years unless a longer period is justified.

Is alimony taxable in Alabama?

Alabama follows federal treatment: as of the 2026 tax year, alimony payments are not deductible by the payer and are not taxable income to the recipient.

How long can rehabilitative alimony be ordered after the 2018 amendment?

The 2018 amendment creates a presumption that rehabilitative alimony will not exceed five years, though a court may extend it if it finds rehabilitation is not feasible within that period.

What happens if the 40% income cap reduces the suggested support amount?

If the recipient’s total income would exceed 40% of the combined household income, the rule‑of‑thumb reduces the support figure so the recipient’s overall income stays at that 40% ceiling.

Did the 2018 change affect alimony for marriages longer than 20 years?

Yes. For marriages of 20 years or more, Alabama courts are more likely to consider periodic (potentially indefinite) alimony rather than the short‑term rehabilitative award that the 2018 reform emphasizes.

Is the calculation different in Birmingham, Montgomery or Huntsville?

No. Ala. Code § 30-2-57 applies statewide, so courts in Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville and every other county start from the same guideline. Local practice can differ in how judges weigh deviation factors and in typical negotiated outcomes, but the formula on this page is the one used across Alabama.

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