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Nebraska Alimony Calculator (2026)

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42‑365 makes clear Nebraska has no statutory alimony formula; courts must find a “reasonable” amount based on the marriage’s history, each spouse’s contributions, and any career interruptions. The figures below are a widely‑used American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers rule‑of‑thumb and should be treated as an estimate, not legal authority.

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

Nebraska has no statutory alimony formula. Courts decide case by case under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365. 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: Nebraska alimony factors — Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365.

How Nebraska calculates it

  • Identify the higher‑earning spouse’s annual gross income.
  • Identify the lower‑earning spouse’s annual gross income.
  • Calculate 30% of the higher earner’s income and 20% of the lower earner’s income.
  • Subtract the lower‑earner portion from the higher‑earner portion to get a preliminary annual support amount.
  • Apply the 40% cap so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the combined income, adjusting the support amount if necessary.
  • Determine duration using the marriage‑length guide: 30% of months for marriages 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‑earning spouse makes $100,000 per year and the lower‑earning spouse 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 difference of $22,000 per year. The 40% combined‑income cap reduces this to $16,000 per year, or about $1,333 per month. For a 12‑year marriage, the duration guide (75% of 144 months) yields roughly 108 months of support. The court is not bound by these numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Who can receive alimony in Nebraska?

Nebraska courts may award alimony to a spouse who lacks sufficient income to maintain a standard of living comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage, considering factors listed in § 42‑365 such as the length of the marriage, each party’s earning capacity, and contributions to the household.

Is alimony taxable in Nebraska?

Alimony is treated as taxable income for the recipient under federal law, and Nebraska conforms to that treatment for state income tax purposes.

How long does a Nebraska court usually take to decide alimony after a divorce filing?

Nebraska law sets no fixed waiting period; the court issues an alimony order after evaluating the statutory factors, which can take weeks to several months depending on case complexity and court docket.

Can a Nebraska court award reduced alimony if the recipient has their own earnings?

Yes. The 40% combined‑income cap in the rule‑of‑thumb reflects the court’s ability to limit support so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the couple’s combined earnings, effectively reducing alimony when the recipient earns a substantial amount.

What recent changes affect how alimony is calculated in Nebraska?

There have been no statutory amendments to § 42‑365; the state still relies on judicial discretion. The AAML guideline cited here is a professional practice aid, not a legal change.

Is the calculation different in Omaha, Lincoln or Bellevue?

No. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365 applies statewide, so courts in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue 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 Nebraska.

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