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Maine Alimony Calculator (2026)

Maine's 19-A M.R.S. §951‑A presumes no general spousal support for marriages under 10 years and caps general support at half the marriage length for marriages of 10–20 years, with indefinite support possible after 20 years. Because the statute contains no fixed formula, courts decide alimony case‑by‑case, and this tool offers only a widely used rule‑of‑thumb estimate, not legal authority.

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

Maine has no statutory alimony formula. Courts decide case by case under 19-A M.R.S. § 951-A. 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: Maine spousal support (general support for marriages of 10+ years) — 19-A M.R.S. § 951-A.

How Maine calculates it

  • Step 1: Identify the higher‑earning spouse’s annual gross income and calculate 30% of that amount.
  • Step 2: Identify the lower‑earning spouse’s annual gross income and calculate 20% of that amount.
  • Step 3: Subtract the lower‑earner’s 20% figure from the higher‑earner’s 30% figure to get a preliminary annual support amount.
  • Step 4: Apply the 40% cap so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the combined income, reducing the amount if necessary.
  • Step 5: Determine a duration guide: 30% of marriage length for <3 years, 50% for 3–10 years, 75% for 10–20 years, and indefinite for >20 years.
  • Step 6: Remember that Maine courts are not bound by this rule‑of‑thumb; the final award may differ.

Worked example

Higher earner $100,000/year, lower earner $40,000/year, 12-year marriage: 30% × $100,000 = $30,000; 20% × $40,000 = $8,000; difference $22,000/year, reduced to $16,000 by the 40% cap ≈ $1,333/month as a rule-of-thumb starting point. Duration guide for 12 years (10–20 years): 75% of 144 months ≈ 108 months. The court is not bound by any of this.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get alimony in Maine if my marriage lasted less than 10 years?

Maine law presumes no general spousal support for marriages under 10 years, though a court may still award limited support in special circumstances.

How is alimony taxed in Maine?

Maine follows federal treatment: alimony received is taxable to the recipient and, for divorces finalized before 2019, deductible by the payer; after 2018 the deduction was eliminated. Maine does not impose a separate state tax on alimony.

What determines the duration of alimony for a 15‑year marriage in Maine?

For marriages of 10–20 years, Maine caps general support at half the marriage length, but the rule‑of‑thumb suggests a duration of 75% of the marriage length, which would be about 135 months for a 15‑year marriage. The court may set a shorter period within the statutory limits.

If my spouse earns $120,000 and I earn $30,000, how is the support amount estimated?

Using the rule‑of‑thumb, you would calculate 30% of the higher earner’s income and subtract 20% of the lower earner’s income, then apply the 40% combined‑income cap. The exact monthly figure depends on those calculations and the cap.

Has Maine recently changed its alimony guidelines?

Maine has not enacted a statutory alimony formula; the presumption against support for marriages under 10 years and the half‑length cap for 10–20‑year marriages remain in effect.

Is the calculation different in Portland, Lewiston or Bangor?

No. 19-A M.R.S. § 951-A applies statewide, so courts in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor 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 Maine.

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