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Massachusetts Alimony Calculator (2026)

Under Massachusetts General Laws c. 208 §§ 49 and 53, the Alimony Reform Act of 2011 sets guideline support at 30–35% of the difference between the spouses’ gross incomes and ties the maximum duration to the length of the marriage.

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

Before taxes.
Before taxes.
Date of marriage to date of service of the divorce complaint.
The law behind this calculator: Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act of 2011 — general term alimony (amount § 53, duration § 49) — M.G.L. c. 208 §§ 49, 53.

How Massachusetts calculates it

  • Calculate each spouse’s annual gross income and subtract the lower from the higher to get the income difference.
  • Multiply that difference by 30% and by 35% to create the statutory ceiling range.
  • Compare the ceiling range to the recipient’s documented need; the lower amount becomes the maximum support.
  • Find the duration percentage based on marriage length (e.g., 70% for marriages over 10 up to 15 years).
  • Apply that percentage to the total months of the marriage to determine the maximum number of months alimony may be ordered.

Worked example

In the example, the higher‑earning spouse earns $120,000 per year and the lower‑earning spouse earns $40,000, creating an $80,000 income difference. Applying the 30–35% statutory range yields $24,000–$28,000 per year, or roughly $2,000–$2,333 per month, subject to the recipient’s actual need. For a 12‑year marriage, the duration cap is 70% of 144 months, which equals about 101 months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive alimony if my marriage lasted less than five years?

Yes. For marriages of five years or less, Massachusetts law allows a term of alimony up to 50% of the total months of the marriage.

Is alimony taxable in Massachusetts?

Since the 2019 federal change, alimony is no longer deductible by the payer nor taxable to the recipient, and Massachusetts follows that federal treatment.

What if my income gap is $80,000 but my need is only $15,000 a year?

The court will cap support at the lower of the statutory ceiling ($24,000–$28,000 per year) and the recipient’s actual need, so the award would be limited to $15,000 annually.

How long can alimony last for a 12‑year marriage?

For a marriage longer than 10 up to 15 years, the duration cap is 70% of the marriage length, which equals about 101 months for a 12‑year marriage.

Did the 2011 Alimony Reform Act change how support is calculated?

Yes. The Act introduced the 30–35% ceiling on the income difference, the duration schedule based on marriage length, and, after 2019, removed the tax‑deductibility of alimony.

Is the calculation different in Boston, Worcester or Springfield?

No. M.G.L. c. 208 §§ 49, 53 applies statewide, so courts in Boston, Worcester, Springfield 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 Massachusetts.

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