Virginia Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under Va. Code § 20-107.1 (amount/duration factors); Va. Code § 16.1-278.17:1 (pendente lite formula). Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
Virginia 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 Va. Code § 20-107.1 (amount/duration factors); Va. Code § 16.1-278.17:1 (pendente lite formula) · Verified August 21, 2026
Virginia has no statutory alimony formula
Virginia has no statutory formula for long-term alimony. This figure applies the Virginia Pendente Lite Spousal Support Formula (Va. Code § 16.1-278.17:1), which courts use for support WHILE a case is pending — not for the final award — so treat it as a ballpark only. The figure below is an estimate to give you a ballpark — a Virginia judge decides the actual amount and duration using the factors listed beneath the calculator. About this method.
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Factors Virginia Courts Weigh
- •The obligations, needs and financial resources of the parties, including income from pension, profit-sharing or retirement plans
- •The standard of living established during the marriage
- •The duration of the marriage
- •The age and physical and mental condition of the parties and any special circumstances of the family
- •Whether the condition or special circumstances of a child make it appropriate for a party not to seek outside employment
- •The monetary and nonmonetary contributions of each party to the well-being of the family
- •The property interests of the parties, both real and personal, tangible and intangible, and the equitable distribution of marital property under § 20-107.3
- •The earning capacity, skills, education, training and present employment opportunities of the parties
- •The opportunity for, ability of, and time and costs involved for a party to acquire the education and training to enhance earning ability
- •The decisions regarding employment, career, economics, education and parenting made during the marriage and their effect on earning potential; the extent one party contributed to the other's education or career; and the tax consequences to each party
How Virginia Alimony Works
- •Virginia draws a sharp line: there is a REAL presumptive formula for TEMPORARY (pendente lite) support while the divorce is pending, but NO formula for permanent/long-term alimony, which is decided on the § 20-107.1(E) factors at the court's discretion.
- •The pendente lite formula uses monthly GROSS income and has two rate pairs: 26% of the payor's income minus 58% of the payee's income when the parties have minor children in common, or 27% minus 50% when they do not. It applies only when combined gross income is $10,000 or less; courts may deviate for good cause shown.
- •The current 26%/58% and 27%/50% rates date to a 2020 amendment (ch. 651) to Va. Code § 16.1-278.17:1; the guideline was first enacted in 2007.
- •Marital fault matters: a court generally may NOT award support to a spouse against whom adultery is proven (§ 20-107.1(B)), subject to a narrow manifest-injustice exception. Fault is also weighed in setting the amount.
- •Spousal support can be periodic for a defined or undefined duration, a lump sum, or a combination. There is no statutory duration formula; if the right to support is reserved (rather than awarded), it is presumed to continue for half the length of the marriage.
- •Support ordinarily ends on the death of either party, the recipient's remarriage, or after the recipient cohabits in a relationship analogous to marriage for one year or more (§ 20-109).
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a Virginia judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed Virginia family-law attorney about your situation. See the official Virginia resource.
How Virginia Calculates Alimony
Virginia addresses spousal support under Va. Code § 20-107.1 (amount/duration factors); Va. Code § 16.1-278.17:1 (pendente lite formula). 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 Virginia
- Virginia draws a sharp line: there is a REAL presumptive formula for TEMPORARY (pendente lite) support while the divorce is pending, but NO formula for permanent/long-term alimony, which is decided on the § 20-107.1(E) factors at the court's discretion.
- The pendente lite formula uses monthly GROSS income and has two rate pairs: 26% of the payor's income minus 58% of the payee's income when the parties have minor children in common, or 27% minus 50% when they do not. It applies only when combined gross income is $10,000 or less; courts may deviate for good cause shown.
- The current 26%/58% and 27%/50% rates date to a 2020 amendment (ch. 651) to Va. Code § 16.1-278.17:1; the guideline was first enacted in 2007.
- Marital fault matters: a court generally may NOT award support to a spouse against whom adultery is proven (§ 20-107.1(B)), subject to a narrow manifest-injustice exception. Fault is also weighed in setting the amount.
- Spousal support can be periodic for a defined or undefined duration, a lump sum, or a combination. There is no statutory duration formula; if the right to support is reserved (rather than awarded), it is presumed to continue for half the length of the marriage.
- Support ordinarily ends on the death of either party, the recipient's remarriage, or after the recipient cohabits in a relationship analogous to marriage for one year or more (§ 20-109).
How Long Alimony Lasts in Virginia
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
Virginia'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. Virginia 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 Virginia law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Virginia alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the Virginia guideline from Va. Code § 20-107.1 (amount/duration factors); Va. Code § 16.1-278.17:1 (pendente lite formula) 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 Virginia?
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 Virginia's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in Virginia?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review Va. Code § 20-107.1 (amount/duration factors); Va. Code § 16.1-278.17:1 (pendente lite formula) and speak with a Virginia 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 Virginia court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Virginia family-law attorney.
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