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South Carolina Alimony Calculator (2026)

Under S.C. Code § 20‑3‑130, South Carolina bars alimony to a spouse who committed adultery before the earlier of a settlement agreement or a formal separation order; otherwise judges weigh 13 statutory factors with no set formula. This calculator provides only an estimate based on the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers guideline—30% of the higher earner’s gross income minus 20% of the lower earner’s, capped so the recipient’s total income does not exceed 40% of the couple’s combined earnings, and a duration rule‑of‑thumb tied to marriage length.

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

South Carolina has no statutory alimony formula. Courts decide case by case under S.C. Code § 20-3-130. 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: South Carolina alimony factors (adultery bar) — S.C. Code § 20-3-130.

How South Carolina calculates it

  • Determine 30% of the higher‑earning spouse’s annual gross income.
  • Determine 20% of the lower‑earning spouse’s annual gross income.
  • Subtract the lower‑earner amount from the higher‑earner amount.
  • Apply the 40% cap so the recipient’s total income cannot exceed 40% of the combined income; reduce the difference if necessary.
  • Convert the annual figure to a monthly amount for a rule‑of‑thumb starting point.
  • Use 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 worked 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 guideline, 30% × $100,000 equals $30,000 and 20% × $40,000 equals $8,000, giving a difference of $22,000 per year. The 40% cap reduces this to $16,000 per year, which works out to roughly $1,333 per month as a rule‑of‑thumb starting point. For a 12‑year marriage, the duration guide (10–20 years bracket) uses 75% of the 144‑month marriage, yielding about 108 months of support. The court is not bound by any of these numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Can a spouse who committed adultery still receive alimony in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina law bars alimony to a spouse who committed adultery before the earlier of a settlement agreement or a formal separation order; otherwise the court considers the 13 statutory factors.

Is alimony taxable income in South Carolina?

South Carolina follows the federal treatment after 2018, so alimony is neither deductible by the payer nor taxable to the recipient, and the state does not tax it either.

How long does it usually take to get a temporary alimony order after filing?

Courts often issue temporary orders within a few weeks of the hearing, but timing varies; the rule‑of‑thumb provides a duration estimate based on marriage length, not a waiting period.

What if my income is only slightly higher than my ex’s—can I get a reduced alimony amount?

The guideline caps the recipient’s total income at 40% of combined earnings, so if the lower earner’s income is already near that threshold the calculated amount may be reduced or result in zero.

Has South Carolina changed its alimony guidelines recently?

No statutory formula has been adopted; the only recent statutory change is the explicit adultery bar in § 20‑3‑130. The AAML guideline used here remains a professional practice, not law.

Is the calculation different in Charleston, Columbia or Greenville?

No. S.C. Code § 20-3-130 applies statewide, so courts in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville 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 South Carolina.

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