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Ohio Alimony Calculator (2026)

Ohio Revised Code §3105.18 makes clear the state has no statutory alimony formula. Courts weigh 14 statutory factors, and many county judges informally apply a rule‑of‑thumb—30% of the higher earner’s gross income minus 20% of the lower earner’s gross income, capped so the recipient’s total income stays below 40% of combined earnings, with a duration guide tied to marriage length. This estimate is for guidance only, not legal authority.

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

Ohio has no statutory alimony formula. Courts decide case by case under ORC § 3105.18. 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: Ohio spousal support factors — ORC § 3105.18.

How Ohio 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, then subtract the latter from the former.
  • Apply the 40% combined‑income cap so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the two spouses’ combined income.
  • Estimate duration: use 30% of the marriage length if under 3 years, 50% if 3–10 years, 75% if 10–20 years, and consider indefinite if over 20 years.

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

How does Ohio determine the amount of alimony?

Ohio has no statutory formula; a judge applies the 14 factors listed in ORC §3105.18 and often uses the 30%-minus-20% rule of thumb as a starting point.

Is alimony taxable in Ohio?

Ohio follows federal law. For divorces finalized after December 31 2018, alimony is not taxable to the recipient and not deductible by the payer. For earlier divorces, it is taxable to the recipient and deductible by the payer.

Can a short marriage still result in long‑term alimony in Ohio?

The rule‑of‑thumb limits duration to 30% of the marriage length for marriages under three years, but a court may order longer support if the 14 statutory factors justify it.

What happens if the support would push the recipient’s income above 40% of combined earnings?

The 40% cap reduces the calculated amount so the recipient’s total income—including the support—does not exceed 40% of the spouses’ combined income.

Has Ohio recently changed its alimony guidelines?

No statutory formula has been adopted. The only recent practice is the informal one‑year‑per‑three‑years rule used by many counties, while the underlying 14‑factor statute remains unchanged.

Is the calculation different in Columbus, Cleveland or Cincinnati?

No. ORC § 3105.18 applies statewide, so courts in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati 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 Ohio.

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