Texas Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under Tex. Fam. Code § 8.055. Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
Texas Alimony Calculator
This state caps maintenance at a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the payor’s income, whichever is lower.
Based on Tex. Fam. Code § 8.055 · Verified June 1, 2026
Enter income details to see your estimate
Eligibility: Texas rarely awards spousal maintenance. The requesting spouse generally must have been married at least 10 years and be unable to meet minimum reasonable needs, or there must be a recent family-violence conviction or a disability of the spouse or a child. If married under 10 years without family violence, maintenance is usually unavailable.
Factors Texas Courts Weigh
- •Each spouse's ability to provide for their minimum reasonable needs
- •Education and employment skills, and time needed to acquire them
- •Duration of the marriage
- •Age, employment history, earning ability, and health of the spouse seeking support
- •Effect of child support or custody on the ability to pay
- •Contribution as a homemaker
- •Marital misconduct and any family violence
How Texas Alimony Works
- •Texas calls alimony "spousal maintenance" and treats it as a limited, needs-based remedy rather than a guaranteed entitlement.
- •The payment is capped at the lesser of $5,000 per month or 20% of the payor's average monthly gross income, no matter how high that income is.
- •Maintenance is only available when the spouse seeking it cannot meet their minimum reasonable needs and meets one of the statutory eligibility grounds.
- •Courts presume maintenance is unnecessary unless the requesting spouse has made a good-faith effort to earn enough to be self-supporting.
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a Texas judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed Texas family-law attorney about your situation.
How Texas Calculates Alimony
Texas addresses spousal support under Tex. Fam. Code § 8.055. It caps maintenance at a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the payor's gross income, whichever is lower. The calculator applies that cap to your figures.
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 Texas
- Texas calls alimony "spousal maintenance" and treats it as a limited, needs-based remedy rather than a guaranteed entitlement.
- The payment is capped at the lesser of $5,000 per month or 20% of the payor's average monthly gross income, no matter how high that income is.
- Maintenance is only available when the spouse seeking it cannot meet their minimum reasonable needs and meets one of the statutory eligibility grounds.
- Courts presume maintenance is unnecessary unless the requesting spouse has made a good-faith effort to earn enough to be self-supporting.
How Long Alimony Lasts in Texas
Texas caps how long maintenance can last based on the length of the marriage. Courts are directed to limit maintenance to the shortest reasonable period.
What Counts as Income
Texas'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
Texas rarely awards spousal maintenance. The requesting spouse generally must have been married at least 10 years and be unable to meet minimum reasonable needs, or there must be a recent family-violence conviction or a disability of the spouse or a child. If married under 10 years without family violence, maintenance is usually unavailable.
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 Texas law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Texas alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the Texas guideline from Tex. Fam. Code § 8.055 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 Texas?
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 Texas's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in Texas?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review Tex. Fam. Code § 8.055 and speak with a Texas 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 Texas court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Texas family-law attorney.
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