New Jersey Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23. Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
New Jersey 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 N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23 · Verified June 1, 2026
New Jersey has no statutory alimony formula
New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 to qualify, but marriage duration drives both eligibility for open durational alimony (effectively 20+ years) and the cap on duration for shorter marriages.
Factors New Jersey Courts Weigh
- •The actual need and ability of the parties to pay
- •The duration of the marriage or civil union
- •The age and the physical and emotional health of the parties
- •The standard of living established in the marriage and the likelihood each party can maintain a reasonably comparable standard, with neither party having a greater entitlement to it
- •The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of the parties
- •The length of absence from the job market of the party seeking maintenance
- •The parental responsibilities for the children
- •The time and expense needed to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment, and the opportunity for future acquisition of capital assets and income
- •The history of financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage, including contributions to the care and education of children and interruption of personal careers
- •The equitable distribution of property and any payouts on that distribution, plus the income available from investment of any assets
How New Jersey Alimony Works
- •New Jersey has NO mathematical formula for the amount of alimony. Judges decide the amount and type case-by-case using the N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(b) factors, anchored on the dependent spouse's need and the payor's ability to pay relative to the marital standard of living.
- •The 2014 alimony reform (P.L. 2014, c. 42) eliminated 'permanent alimony' and replaced it with 'open durational alimony,' added a duration cap tied to the length of the marriage for marriages under 20 years, and tightened modification and termination rules.
- •Four alimony types are available and may be combined: open durational, limited duration, rehabilitative, and reimbursement alimony.
- •For marriages under 20 years, alimony generally cannot last longer than the marriage itself, except in exceptional circumstances enumerated in the statute (e.g., chronic illness, career sacrifice, age of the parties).
- •There is a rebuttable presumption that alimony terminates when the paying spouse reaches full retirement age, and alimony may be modified upon prospective or actual retirement or upon cohabitation of the recipient.
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a New Jersey judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed New Jersey family-law attorney about your situation. See the official New Jersey resource.
How New Jersey Calculates Alimony
New Jersey addresses spousal support under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23. 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 New Jersey
- New Jersey has NO mathematical formula for the amount of alimony. Judges decide the amount and type case-by-case using the N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(b) factors, anchored on the dependent spouse's need and the payor's ability to pay relative to the marital standard of living.
- The 2014 alimony reform (P.L. 2014, c. 42) eliminated 'permanent alimony' and replaced it with 'open durational alimony,' added a duration cap tied to the length of the marriage for marriages under 20 years, and tightened modification and termination rules.
- Four alimony types are available and may be combined: open durational, limited duration, rehabilitative, and reimbursement alimony.
- For marriages under 20 years, alimony generally cannot last longer than the marriage itself, except in exceptional circumstances enumerated in the statute (e.g., chronic illness, career sacrifice, age of the parties).
- There is a rebuttable presumption that alimony terminates when the paying spouse reaches full retirement age, and alimony may be modified upon prospective or actual retirement or upon cohabitation of the recipient.
How Long Alimony Lasts in New Jersey
The 2014 reform (P.L. 2014, c. 42) abolished permanent alimony and created open durational alimony. For any marriage or civil union under 20 years, the total duration of alimony cannot, except in exceptional circumstances, exceed the length of the marriage. For marriages of 20+ years, courts may award open durational (indefinite) alimony. There is no statutory formula for the dollar amount; duration is otherwise discretionary within these limits.
What Counts as Income
New Jersey'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 to qualify, but marriage duration drives both eligibility for open durational alimony (effectively 20+ years) and the cap on duration for shorter marriages.
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 New Jersey law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this New Jersey alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the New Jersey guideline from N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23 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 New Jersey?
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 New Jersey's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in New Jersey?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23 and speak with a New Jersey 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 New Jersey court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed New Jersey family-law attorney.
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