Montana Maintenance (Alimony) Calculator
Estimated Maintenance
What Is Spousal Maintenance in Montana?
In Montana, maintenance is financial support that one spouse may be ordered to pay the other after a divorce. It is not automatic. Instead, the court looks at whether the spouse seeking support:
- Lacks enough property to meet their needs, and
- Cannot become self-supporting through employment, or is unable to work due to age, health, or other serious factors.
Unlike child support (which follows strict guidelines), Montana maintenance decisions are discretionary. Judges look at income, expenses, needs, and the length of the marriage to decide if support should be awarded, for how much, and for how long.
How the Montana Alimony Calculator Works
The Montana Maintenance Calculator uses straightforward inputs you can provide to estimate possible support ranges. You enter:
- Payor’s gross monthly income
- Recipient’s gross monthly income
- Payor’s monthly expenses
- Recipient’s monthly needs
- Length of marriage (in years)
- Recipient’s employment potential (self-sufficient, insufficient income, or unable to work)
The calculator then analyzes two main factors:
- Eligibility – Does the recipient actually qualify for support under Montana law?
- Ability to pay – Can the payor realistically contribute after covering their own expenses?
If the recipient qualifies, the calculator estimates a payment range. It also provides a support analysis, explaining how the length of the marriage and the recipient’s work potential might influence duration.
Example: What the Calculator Might Show
Imagine this scenario:
- Payor’s gross monthly income: $7,000
- Recipient’s gross monthly income: $2,000
- Payor’s expenses: $4,200
- Recipient’s monthly needs: $3,500
- Length of marriage: 18 years
- Recipient’s employment status: Unable to be self-sufficient
The calculator might suggest a payment range, for example:
Estimated Monthly Payment Range: $1,200 – $1,500
Analysis: Because the recipient cannot be self-supporting and the marriage lasted nearly two decades, the court may consider long-term or even indefinite maintenance.
Why This Calculator Is Helpful
Montana’s discretionary approach makes predicting outcomes stressful. The calculator helps by:
- Breaking down financial realities into a simple range.
- Highlighting eligibility rules so you know whether support is even possible.
- Offering clarity on marriage length, since short-, mid-, and long-term marriages are treated differently.
- Serving as a conversation starter when consulting with your attorney.
Important Disclaimer
This calculator is for educational purposes only. Montana courts are not bound by formulas or preset guidelines. Judges consider many factors—some financial, some personal—that a calculator cannot capture. Always speak with a qualified Montana family law attorney before making decisions based on support estimates.
