Arkansas Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312. Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
Arkansas Alimony Calculator
This state publishes a guideline equation that takes a share of the payor’s income and subtracts a share of the payee’s.
Based on Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312 · Verified June 1, 2026
Arkansas has no statutory alimony formula
Arkansas has no statutory alimony formula, so this figure uses the AAML national guideline (30% of the payor's gross income minus 20% of the payee's, capped at 40% of combined income) purely as a ballpark. The figure below is an estimate to give you a ballpark — a Arkansas judge decides the actual amount and duration using the factors listed beneath the calculator. About this method.
Enter income details to see your estimate
Factors Arkansas Courts Weigh
- •The relative financial circumstances of both parties
- •The couple's past standard of living during the marriage
- •The amount and nature of each party's current and anticipated income
- •The extent and nature of each party's resources and assets
- •The earning ability and capacity of each party
- •Property awarded or given to a party by the court or the other spouse, and disposition of the homestead/jointly owned property
- •The health condition and medical needs of each spouse
- •The duration of the marriage
- •The amount of child support being paid
- •The primary tests: the financial need of the requesting spouse and the other spouse's ability to pay
How Arkansas Alimony Works
- •Arkansas has NO statutory formula or guideline for the AMOUNT of alimony. Under Ark. Code Ann. 9-12-312, the court orders alimony 'as are reasonable from the circumstances of the parties and the nature of the case' -- a broad discretionary standard.
- •The two primary tests Arkansas courts apply are the need of the spouse seeking support and the ability of the other spouse to pay; a list of secondary factors comes from case law (e.g., Kuchmas v. Kuchmas) rather than an enumerated statutory checklist.
- •Arkansas recognizes temporary (pendente lite), rehabilitative, and (less commonly) permanent alimony; rehabilitative awards for a fixed term predominate. There is no statutory duration formula -- duration is judicial discretion.
- •Marital fault is generally NOT a factor unless it meaningfully bears on need or ability to pay.
- •Alimony automatically terminates (unless the decree says otherwise) upon the recipient's remarriage, certain court-ordered support relationships treated as the equivalent of remarriage, or the recipient living full-time with another person in an intimate, cohabiting relationship. Either party may petition to modify on a significant and material change of circumstances. Recent legislative bills proposing alimony reform (e.g., HB1663, 2025) have not enacted an amount formula as of June 2026; HB1663 died in House committee.
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a Arkansas judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed Arkansas family-law attorney about your situation. See the official Arkansas resource.
How Arkansas Calculates Alimony
Arkansas addresses spousal support under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312. It uses a guideline equation that takes a percentage of the payor's gross income and subtracts a percentage of the payee's gross income, with statutory caps. The calculator above applies that equation to your figures and shows each step.
Unlike child support, alimony is one of the most discretionary areas of family law. Even in states with a guideline equation, the figure is a starting point a judge can adjust after weighing the statutory factors, the length of the marriage, and each spouse's needs and ability to pay. Treat any number here as an informed estimate, not a guaranteed award.
Key Rules in Arkansas
- Arkansas has NO statutory formula or guideline for the AMOUNT of alimony. Under Ark. Code Ann. 9-12-312, the court orders alimony 'as are reasonable from the circumstances of the parties and the nature of the case' -- a broad discretionary standard.
- The two primary tests Arkansas courts apply are the need of the spouse seeking support and the ability of the other spouse to pay; a list of secondary factors comes from case law (e.g., Kuchmas v. Kuchmas) rather than an enumerated statutory checklist.
- Arkansas recognizes temporary (pendente lite), rehabilitative, and (less commonly) permanent alimony; rehabilitative awards for a fixed term predominate. There is no statutory duration formula -- duration is judicial discretion.
- Marital fault is generally NOT a factor unless it meaningfully bears on need or ability to pay.
- Alimony automatically terminates (unless the decree says otherwise) upon the recipient's remarriage, certain court-ordered support relationships treated as the equivalent of remarriage, or the recipient living full-time with another person in an intimate, cohabiting relationship. Either party may petition to modify on a significant and material change of circumstances. Recent legislative bills proposing alimony reform (e.g., HB1663, 2025) have not enacted an amount formula as of June 2026; HB1663 died in House committee.
How Long Alimony Lasts in Arkansas
Under the AAML national guideline, duration is a share of the marriage length that rises with the length of the marriage; marriages of 20+ years may receive indefinite support. This is an illustration, not a state durational rule.
What Counts as Income
Arkansas's calculation uses each spouse’s gross income — earnings before taxes, including wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and many recurring sources. Courts can also impute income to a spouse who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, meaning support can be based on what a spouse could earn rather than what they currently do. Use your most recent pay stubs and tax return for the most accurate estimate.
Eligibility & Modifying an Order
Not every divorce results in alimony. Arkansas courts award it when one spouse has a genuine financial need and the other has the ability to pay, judged against the factors above.
Alimony orders can usually be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — for example, a significant change in either spouse's income, the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation, retirement, or the payor's loss of employment. The specific rules and any non-modifiable agreements depend on your court order and Arkansas law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Arkansas alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the Arkansas guideline from Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312 to the numbers you enter, so it gives a close estimate of a typical guideline award. It is not an official court calculation — a judge can order a different amount after weighing the statutory factors.
Is alimony taxable in Arkansas?
For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony is not deductible by the payor and is not taxable income to the recipient under federal law. Most states follow the federal treatment, but check Arkansas's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in Arkansas?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312 and speak with a Arkansas attorney about how fault is treated where you live.
Can alimony be changed later?
Usually yes. Alimony can often be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — such as a large change in income, the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation, or the payor's retirement — unless your order or agreement makes it non-modifiable.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Alimony is highly fact-specific and discretionary; the amount and duration a Arkansas court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Arkansas family-law attorney.
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