Kentucky Alimony Calculator
Maintenance Analysis
What Is Maintenance in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, "maintenance" is the legal term for alimony or spousal support. It’s money one spouse may be ordered to pay the other after a divorce, depending on financial need and ability to pay.
Under KRS § 403.200, a court may award maintenance if the receiving spouse:
- Lacks sufficient income or property to meet basic needs, and
- Can’t support themselves through work (due to age, health, or because they’re caring for a child)
But here's the catch: There’s no fixed formula. Every case is different, and judges have wide discretion.
Why Use the Kentucky Alimony Calculator?
Because you want clarity in a situation filled with unknowns.
This calculator:
- Estimates monthly payment ranges
- Gives insights into how long support may last
- Factors in key variables:
- Each spouse’s income
- Living expenses
- Needs of the lower-earning spouse
- Length of the marriage
It’s not a final answer, but it gives you a solid, educated guess — fast.
How It Works: Inputs That Matter
Here’s what you’ll plug in:
| Field | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Payor’s Gross Monthly Income | Monthly earnings before taxes for the higher-earning spouse |
| Recipient’s Gross Monthly Income | Monthly income of the lower-earning spouse |
| Payor’s Monthly Expenses | Their basic monthly costs like housing, food, bills |
| Recipient’s Monthly Needs | Estimated costs for the receiving spouse to live |
| Length of Marriage | Total number of years married |
Once you enter those numbers, just hit "Calculate Maintenance" — and the tool does the rest.
What the Calculator Tells You
1. Estimated Monthly Payment Range
It shows a low-end and high-end estimate based on:
- How much the recipient needs, and
- How much the payor can afford
Example:
If the recipient needs $3,500 but only earns $2,000, and the payor earns $8,000 but spends $4,000 on essentials, the tool estimates a support range based on what's left over.
Output might look like:
Estimated Monthly Payment: $1,125 – $1,500
2. Maintenance Duration Insight
The calculator gives an explanation based on how long the marriage lasted:
| Years Married | Maintenance Guidance |
|---|---|
| 0–5 Years | Rare, short-term, or transitional support |
| 6–14 Years | Fixed-term, often based on time needed to become self-sufficient |
| 15+ Years | Long-term or indefinite support more likely, especially with age or health concerns |
Example Output:
“Moderate-Term Marriage (9 years). Rehabilitative maintenance for a fixed period is the most likely outcome.”
Important Disclaimer
This tool gives an estimate only. It does not replace legal advice.
Kentucky judges don’t follow a strict formula — decisions vary case by case.
Before making decisions, always consult a Kentucky divorce attorney who understands the courts in your county.
