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Minnesota Alimony Calculator (2026)

Minn. Stat. § 518.552 governs spousal maintenance in Minnesota, and the 2024 amendments added length‑of‑marriage presumptions: under 5 years no maintenance is presumed, 5‑20 years allows transitional maintenance up to half the marriage length, and 20 + years presumes indefinite maintenance. Because Minnesota has no statutory alimony formula, courts consider these factors case‑by‑case. The figures below are a widely used rule‑of‑thumb estimate, not a legal requirement.

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

Minnesota has no statutory alimony formula. Courts decide case by case under Minn. Stat. § 518.552. 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: Minnesota spousal maintenance factors — Minn. Stat. § 518.552.

How Minnesota 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 to get a preliminary annual support figure.
  • Apply a cap so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the combined income, reducing the support if necessary.
  • Use the marriage‑length guide for duration: 30% of the marriage length if under 3 years, 50% for 3‑10 years, 75% for 10‑20 years, and indefinite for over 20 years.

Worked example

In the example, the higher earner makes $100,000 per year and the lower earner $40,000 per year in a 12‑year marriage. Applying the rule‑of‑thumb: 30% × $100,000 = $30,000; 20% × $40,000 = $8,000; the difference is $22,000 per year, which is reduced to $16,000 by the 40% cap, yielding roughly $1,333 per month as a starting point. For duration, the 12‑year marriage falls in the 10‑20‑year bracket, so 75% of 144 months equals about 108 months. The court is not bound by any of these figures.

Frequently asked questions

What factors does a Minnesota court consider when ordering alimony?

Under Minn. Stat. § 518.552 the court looks at each spouse’s earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, duration of the marriage, age and health, and any 2024 amendment presumptions based on marriage length.

Is alimony taxable in Minnesota?

Alimony is treated the same as under federal law; for marriages ending after 2019, alimony is generally not taxable to the recipient and not deductible by the payer, and Minnesota follows that treatment.

How long can I expect maintenance to last after a 12‑year marriage in Minnesota?

The rule‑of‑thumb suggests a duration of 75% of the marriage length. For a 12‑year marriage that equals about 108 months, though the court may adjust the period.

Can the maintenance amount be reduced if the recipient’s income rises?

Yes. The 40% combined‑income cap reduces the support so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the couple’s combined earnings.

What changed in Minnesota alimony law in 2024?

The 2024 amendments introduced presumptions tied to marriage length: no maintenance presumed for marriages under 5 years, transitional maintenance up to half the marriage length for 5‑20 years, and an indefinite maintenance presumption for marriages longer than 20 years.

Is the calculation different in Minneapolis, St. Paul or Rochester?

No. Minn. Stat. § 518.552 applies statewide, so courts in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester 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 Minnesota.

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