Georgia Maintenance (Alimony) Calculator

What Is the Georgia Alimony Calculator?

The Georgia Maintenance (Alimony) Calculator is an online tool designed to estimate possible alimony payments. By entering details such as:

• Payor’s gross monthly income
• Recipient’s gross monthly income
• Monthly expenses of both spouses
• Length of the marriage
• Whether adultery played a role in separation

…the calculator gives you an estimated payment range, possible duration of payments, and key notes based on Georgia law.

Important: This calculator is for guidance only. Georgia courts are not required to follow formulas. Alimony decisions are always case-specific.

How the Calculator Works

The calculator runs a simple need-versus-ability-to-pay analysis:

1. Need – How much money the recipient spouse needs after considering their own income.
2. Ability to Pay – How much money the paying spouse has available after covering their own expenses.
3. Comparison – If the recipient shows a clear financial need and the payor has the ability, the tool estimates a payment range.

Example:

• Payor earns $9,000 per month, with $4,500 in expenses.
• Recipient earns $1,500 per month, with $3,500 in expenses.

The recipient’s need is $2,000, and the payor has the ability to pay $4,500. The calculator will suggest an estimated range of payments based on these numbers.

Key Factors in Georgia Alimony Decisions

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-5) outlines several factors courts consider before awarding alimony. The calculator reflects these main points:

• Adultery: If separation was caused by the recipient’s adultery, alimony is barred under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1(b).
• Length of Marriage: Shorter marriages often lead to temporary (rehabilitative) alimony. Longer marriages may involve longer or even indefinite support.
• Standard of Living: Courts look at how the couple lived during the marriage.
• Age & Health: Older spouses or those with health issues may receive longer support.
• Financial Contributions: Both financial and non-financial contributions (like being a stay-at-home parent) are considered.

Why Use the Georgia Alimony Calculator?

For many people, the uncertainty around alimony causes stress. The calculator helps by:

• Setting realistic expectations – It prevents either spouse from assuming extreme outcomes.
• Encouraging fair negotiations – When both sides see an estimated range, settlement talks can move forward faster.
• Helping with financial planning – Knowing the likely support amount allows both parties to budget for the future.

It’s especially useful if you are trying to prepare before speaking with an attorney.

Limitations You Should Know

While the Georgia Alimony Calculator is powerful, it has limits:

• It cannot predict the exact outcome of your case.
• Judges can weigh factors differently.
• Special circumstances (like disability, hidden income, or remarriage) may drastically change results.

That’s why the calculator always includes a disclaimer: it’s for informational purposes only and not legal advice.