Colorado Alimony Calculator
Guideline Maintenance Analysis
What Is Spousal Maintenance in Colorado?
In Colorado, spousal maintenance (commonly called alimony) is financial support that one spouse may have to pay the other after a divorce. The goal is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living that isn’t drastically different from the marriage.
But here’s the key: maintenance is not automatic. Courts look at factors such as:
- The income of each spouse.
- The length of the marriage.
- The standard of living during the marriage.
- Each person’s ability to earn in the future.
How the Colorado Alimony Calculator Works
The Colorado Maintenance Calculator is designed to give you an estimate based on state guidelines (Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-10-114). It’s not a final court order—it’s just a way to see what spousal maintenance might look like in your situation.
Here’s what the calculator asks you to enter:
- Payor’s Gross Monthly Income – The income of the spouse who might be paying.
- Recipient’s Gross Monthly Income – The income of the spouse who might be receiving support.
- Length of Marriage (Months) – How long the marriage lasted.
With these numbers, the calculator estimates:
- Monthly Payment – How much maintenance could be.
- Duration – How long payments might last.
- Statutory Notes – Reminders about when guidelines apply (for example, income caps).
Colorado’s Alimony Formula in Plain English
The calculator uses a guideline formula to make the estimate:
- Step 1: Multiply the payor’s income by 40%.
- Step 2: Multiply the recipient’s income by 50%.
- Step 3: Subtract Step 2 from Step 1.
- Step 4: Apply limits so the recipient’s income (plus maintenance) does not exceed 40% of combined income.
Example:
- Payor income = $10,000/month
- Recipient income = $3,000/month
Using the formula:
- (40% of $10,000) – (50% of $3,000) = $4,000 – $1,500 = $2,500 estimated monthly maintenance.
How Duration of Maintenance Is Calculated
Duration depends on how long you were married:
- Less than 3 years: Maintenance is usually not awarded.
- 3 to 20 years: The court uses a sliding scale (percentage of marriage length).
- Over 20 years: The court may award long-term or even indefinite maintenance.
Example: If you were married for 15 years (180 months), the calculator might suggest an advisory term of around 7 years.
Important Limits and Exceptions
- Income cap: If combined annual income is more than $240,000, the statutory formula does not apply. Courts decide on a case-by-case basis.
- Discretion: Judges can deviate from the formula if special circumstances exist.
- Not legal advice: The calculator is for information only. Always talk to a Colorado family law attorney before making decisions.
Why Use the Colorado Maintenance Calculator?
This tool is helpful because it gives:
- A starting point for understanding possible payments.
- A way to compare different scenarios by changing income or marriage duration.
- A conversation starter when meeting with your attorney or mediator.
But remember: the calculator is not the judge. It can’t predict the exact outcome of your case.
