Washington Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under RCW 26.09.090. Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
Washington 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 RCW 26.09.090 · Verified June 1, 2026
Washington has no statutory alimony formula
Washington 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 Washington 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 threshold to be eligible; any spouse or domestic partner may request maintenance, with marriage duration weighed as a factor.
Factors Washington Courts Weigh
- •Financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate or community property apportioned to that party and that party's ability to meet needs independently (including any portion of child support that includes a sum for that party)
- •Time necessary for the party seeking maintenance to acquire sufficient education or training to find employment appropriate to his or her skill, interests, style of life, and other circumstances
- •Standard of living established during the marriage or domestic partnership
- •Duration of the marriage or domestic partnership
- •Age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance
- •Ability of the spouse or domestic partner from whom maintenance is sought to meet his or her own needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse or partner seeking maintenance
How Washington Alimony Works
- •Washington has NO statutory formula for the amount or duration of spousal maintenance. RCW 26.09.090 directs the court to award maintenance 'in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just, without regard to misconduct, after considering all relevant factors.'
- •Maintenance is determined by broad judicial discretion weighing the six statutory factors; there is no bright-line rule or income-based equation, unlike Washington's child support schedule.
- •Marital misconduct is expressly excluded — Washington is a no-fault state and fault does not affect a maintenance award.
- •A common (non-binding) rule of thumb among practitioners is roughly one year of maintenance for every three to four years of marriage, but this is not in the statute and courts are not bound by it.
- •In a 2024 decision (In re Marriage of Wilcox, decided Aug. 8, 2024), the Washington Supreme Court held that while a court must consider the requesting spouse's need among the statutory factors, a finding of need is NOT a strict prerequisite to a maintenance award — reinforcing the court's wide discretion. No 2023-2025 legislative reform added a formula.
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a Washington judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed Washington family-law attorney about your situation. See the official Washington resource.
How Washington Calculates Alimony
Washington addresses spousal support under RCW 26.09.090. 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 Washington
- Washington has NO statutory formula for the amount or duration of spousal maintenance. RCW 26.09.090 directs the court to award maintenance 'in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just, without regard to misconduct, after considering all relevant factors.'
- Maintenance is determined by broad judicial discretion weighing the six statutory factors; there is no bright-line rule or income-based equation, unlike Washington's child support schedule.
- Marital misconduct is expressly excluded — Washington is a no-fault state and fault does not affect a maintenance award.
- A common (non-binding) rule of thumb among practitioners is roughly one year of maintenance for every three to four years of marriage, but this is not in the statute and courts are not bound by it.
- In a 2024 decision (In re Marriage of Wilcox, decided Aug. 8, 2024), the Washington Supreme Court held that while a court must consider the requesting spouse's need among the statutory factors, a finding of need is NOT a strict prerequisite to a maintenance award — reinforcing the court's wide discretion. No 2023-2025 legislative reform added a formula.
How Long Alimony Lasts in Washington
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
Washington'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 threshold to be eligible; any spouse or domestic partner may request maintenance, with marriage duration weighed as a factor.
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 Washington law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Washington alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the Washington guideline from RCW 26.09.090 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 Washington?
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 Washington's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in Washington?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review RCW 26.09.090 and speak with a Washington 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 Washington court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Washington family-law attorney.
Know someone who could use this? Share this free tool: