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Iowa Alimony Calculator (2026)

Iowa Code § 598.21A makes clear the state has no statutory alimony formula; judges weigh a list of factors to decide support. Iowa does, however, recognize traditional, rehabilitative and reimbursement alimony, with traditional (long‑term) awards usually reserved for marriages of 20 years or more. The figure below is a widely‑used American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers rule‑of‑thumb, offered only as an estimate, not legal authority.

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

Iowa has no statutory alimony formula. Courts decide case by case under Iowa Code § 598.21A. 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: Iowa spousal support factors — Iowa Code § 598.21A.

How Iowa calculates it

  • Take 30% of the higher‑earning spouse’s gross annual income.
  • Take 20% of the lower‑earning spouse’s gross annual income.
  • Subtract the lower‑earner amount from the higher‑earner amount.
  • Apply a cap so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the combined income.
  • For duration, use 30% of the marriage length if under 3 years, 50% if 3–10 years, 75% if 10–20 years, and treat it as indefinite if over 20 years.

Worked example

In the worked example, the higher earner makes $100,000 per year and the lower earner makes $40,000 per year in a 12‑year marriage. Thirty percent of $100,000 is $30,000; twenty percent of $40,000 is $8,000; the difference is $22,000 per year, which the 40% cap reduces to $16,000, roughly $1,333 per month as a rule‑of‑thumb starting point. The duration guide for a 12‑year marriage (which falls in the 10–20‑year bracket) is 75% of 144 months, about 108 months. The court is not bound by any of this.

Frequently asked questions

How does Iowa determine the amount of alimony?

Iowa courts consider the factors listed in Iowa Code § 598.21A on a case‑by‑case basis; there is no fixed formula, though many practitioners start with the AAML rule‑of‑thumb described above.

Is alimony taxable in Iowa?

Iowa follows federal treatment: for divorces finalized after 2018, alimony payments are not deductible by the payer and are not taxable income to the recipient.

Can a short marriage still result in alimony?

Yes. For marriages under three years the rule‑of‑thumb suggests a duration of roughly 30% of the marriage length, but the court may award any period it deems appropriate under the statutory factors.

What if the lower‑earning spouse’s income plus support exceeds 40% of combined income?

The rule‑of‑thumb caps the support so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the combined income; the court can adjust the amount lower or higher based on the statutory factors.

Has Iowa changed its alimony approach recently?

The statute has not been amended to add a formula; however, Iowa courts have increasingly referenced the traditional, rehabilitative, and reimbursement categories, with long‑term traditional support generally limited to marriages of 20 years or more.

Is the calculation different in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids or Davenport?

No. Iowa Code § 598.21A applies statewide, so courts in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport 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 Iowa.

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