Mississippi Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 93-5-23. Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
Mississippi 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 Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 93-5-23 · Verified June 1, 2026
Mississippi has no statutory alimony formula
Mississippi 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 Mississippi judge decides the actual amount and duration using the factors listed beneath the calculator. About this method.
Enter income details to see your estimate
Eligibility: No minimum marriage length. Alimony is need-and-ability-based and considered after equitable distribution; a spouse found at fault on the divorce ground may have an award reduced or denied.
Factors Mississippi Courts Weigh
- •Income and expenses of each party
- •Health and earning capacity of each party
- •The reasonable needs of each party
- •The obligations and assets of each party
- •Length of the marriage
- •Presence or absence of minor children in the home (which may require a party to pay for or personally provide child care)
- •Age of the parties
- •Standard of living of the parties, both during the marriage and at the time of the support determination
- •Tax consequences of the spousal support order
- •Fault or marital misconduct
- •Wasteful dissipation of assets by either party
- •Any other factor the court deems just and equitable in setting spousal support
How Mississippi Alimony Works
- •Mississippi has NO statutory formula or guideline for the amount of alimony. The amount, type, and duration are left to the chancellor's discretion under Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 93-5-23, which simply authorizes orders 'as may seem equitable and just.'
- •Courts determine alimony using the 12 factors set out in Armstrong v. Armstrong, 618 So. 2d 1278 (Miss. 1993), supplemented by equitable-distribution factors from Ferguson v. Ferguson for property division.
- •Mississippi recognizes several types: periodic alimony (ongoing, modifiable, terminates on death or remarriage/cohabitation of the recipient), lump-sum alimony (fixed, non-modifiable), rehabilitative alimony (time-limited to allow a spouse to become self-supporting), and reimbursement alimony.
- •Fault and marital misconduct (e.g., adultery, habitual cruel and inhuman treatment) carry real weight in Mississippi alimony decisions and can reduce or bar an award - more so than in most states.
- •Periodic alimony has no fixed statutory duration; it is open-ended and continues until the recipient dies, remarries, or cohabits, or until a material change of circumstances justifies modification. Any AAML-style estimate is an illustration only and not Mississippi law.
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a Mississippi judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed Mississippi family-law attorney about your situation. See the official Mississippi resource.
How Mississippi Calculates Alimony
Mississippi addresses spousal support under Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 93-5-23. 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 Mississippi
- Mississippi has NO statutory formula or guideline for the amount of alimony. The amount, type, and duration are left to the chancellor's discretion under Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 93-5-23, which simply authorizes orders 'as may seem equitable and just.'
- Courts determine alimony using the 12 factors set out in Armstrong v. Armstrong, 618 So. 2d 1278 (Miss. 1993), supplemented by equitable-distribution factors from Ferguson v. Ferguson for property division.
- Mississippi recognizes several types: periodic alimony (ongoing, modifiable, terminates on death or remarriage/cohabitation of the recipient), lump-sum alimony (fixed, non-modifiable), rehabilitative alimony (time-limited to allow a spouse to become self-supporting), and reimbursement alimony.
- Fault and marital misconduct (e.g., adultery, habitual cruel and inhuman treatment) carry real weight in Mississippi alimony decisions and can reduce or bar an award - more so than in most states.
- Periodic alimony has no fixed statutory duration; it is open-ended and continues until the recipient dies, remarries, or cohabits, or until a material change of circumstances justifies modification. Any AAML-style estimate is an illustration only and not Mississippi law.
How Long Alimony Lasts in Mississippi
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
Mississippi'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
No minimum marriage length. Alimony is need-and-ability-based and considered after equitable distribution; a spouse found at fault on the divorce ground may have an award reduced or denied.
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 Mississippi law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Mississippi alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the Mississippi guideline from Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 93-5-23 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 Mississippi?
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 Mississippi's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in Mississippi?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 93-5-23 and speak with a Mississippi 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 Mississippi court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Mississippi family-law attorney.
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