Vermont Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under 15 V.S.A. § 752(b)(9). Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
Vermont Alimony Calculator
This state’s guideline is a percentage of the difference between the spouses’ incomes, capped by the recipient’s need.
Based on 15 V.S.A. § 752(b)(9) · Verified August 21, 2026
Enter income details to see your estimate
Eligibility: Threshold eligibility under 15 V.S.A. § 752(a): the spouse seeking maintenance must lack sufficient income/property (including property awarded in the division) to meet reasonable needs AND be unable to be self-supporting through appropriate employment at the marital standard of living, or be the custodian of a child of the parties. No minimum marriage length is required.
Factors Vermont Courts Weigh
- •The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, the property apportioned to that party, the party's ability to meet needs independently, and the extent to which child-support provisions include a sum for that party as custodian
- •The time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment
- •The standard of living established during the marriage
- •The duration of the marriage
- •The age and the physical and emotional condition of each spouse
- •The ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought to meet his or her own reasonable needs while also meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance
- •Inflation in relation to the cost of living
- •The impact of both parties reaching full Social Security retirement age (or actual retirement), including any expected discrepancy in Social Security retirement benefits
- •The statutory guidelines table in 15 V.S.A. § 752(b)(9), which correlates length of marriage with a percentage range of the difference in the parties' gross incomes (amount) and a percentage range of the marriage length (duration)
How Vermont Alimony Works
- •Vermont's maintenance statute, 15 V.S.A. § 752, includes a guidelines TABLE as factor (b)(9) that the court must consider. This calculator computes directly from that table: the AMOUNT is a percentage range of the difference in the parties' GROSS incomes and the DURATION is a percentage range of the marriage length, with both ranges widening as the marriage gets longer.
- •The guidelines are advisory bands embedded in a discretionary framework: § 752(b) says the order shall be 'in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just' after weighing all factors (1)-(9). The court is not strictly bound to a single number, but the (b)(9) table is the published statutory starting point.
- •Amount band (% of gross-income difference) by marriage length: 0-<5 yrs = 0-16%; 5-<10 yrs = 12-29%; 10-<15 yrs = 16-33%; 15-<20 yrs = 20-37%; 20+ yrs = 24-41%.
- •Duration band (% of the marriage length): under 5 yrs = no maintenance or up to one year; 5-<10 yrs = 20-50%; 10-<15 yrs = 40-60%; 15-<20 yrs = 40-70%; 20+ yrs = 45%. The table does not suggest indefinite maintenance.
- •Maintenance may be rehabilitative or long-term (permanent), and the court may order security for payment. Awards are modifiable on a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances.
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a Vermont judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed Vermont family-law attorney about your situation. See the official Vermont resource.
How Vermont Calculates Alimony
Vermont addresses spousal support under 15 V.S.A. § 752(b)(9). It sets alimony as a percentage of the difference between the spouses' gross incomes, capped by the recipient's demonstrated need. The calculator shows the guideline range for your numbers.
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 Vermont
- Vermont's maintenance statute, 15 V.S.A. § 752, includes a guidelines TABLE as factor (b)(9) that the court must consider. This calculator computes directly from that table: the AMOUNT is a percentage range of the difference in the parties' GROSS incomes and the DURATION is a percentage range of the marriage length, with both ranges widening as the marriage gets longer.
- The guidelines are advisory bands embedded in a discretionary framework: § 752(b) says the order shall be 'in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just' after weighing all factors (1)-(9). The court is not strictly bound to a single number, but the (b)(9) table is the published statutory starting point.
- Amount band (% of gross-income difference) by marriage length: 0-<5 yrs = 0-16%; 5-<10 yrs = 12-29%; 10-<15 yrs = 16-33%; 15-<20 yrs = 20-37%; 20+ yrs = 24-41%.
- Duration band (% of the marriage length): under 5 yrs = no maintenance or up to one year; 5-<10 yrs = 20-50%; 10-<15 yrs = 40-60%; 15-<20 yrs = 40-70%; 20+ yrs = 45%. The table does not suggest indefinite maintenance.
- Maintenance may be rehabilitative or long-term (permanent), and the court may order security for payment. Awards are modifiable on a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances.
How Long Alimony Lasts in Vermont
Vermont's statutory table also suggests a duration as a share of the marriage length: no maintenance or up to one year for marriages under 5 years, 20-50% of the marriage for 5 to under 10 years, 40-60% for 10 to under 15, 40-70% for 15 to under 20, and 45% for marriages of 20 years or more. Unlike some states, the Vermont table does not suggest indefinite maintenance even for long marriages, though the court retains discretion.
What Counts as Income
Vermont'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
Threshold eligibility under 15 V.S.A. § 752(a): the spouse seeking maintenance must lack sufficient income/property (including property awarded in the division) to meet reasonable needs AND be unable to be self-supporting through appropriate employment at the marital standard of living, or be the custodian of a child of the parties. No minimum marriage length is required.
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 Vermont law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Vermont alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the Vermont guideline from 15 V.S.A. § 752(b)(9) 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 Vermont?
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 Vermont's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in Vermont?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review 15 V.S.A. § 752(b)(9) and speak with a Vermont 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 Vermont court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Vermont family-law attorney.
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