Neal Caffrey

Kentucky

Kentucky Maintenance (Alimony) Calculator

Kentucky Maintenance (Alimony) Calculator

Maintenance Analysis

Estimated Monthly Payment Range
Maintenance Duration Analysis
This tool provides an estimate for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Kentucky has no set formula for maintenance. Awards are based on judicial discretion under KRS § 403.200. Consult a qualified Kentucky attorney for advice on your specific situation.

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:

FieldWhat It Means
Payor’s Gross Monthly IncomeMonthly earnings before taxes for the higher-earning spouse
Recipient’s Gross Monthly IncomeMonthly income of the lower-earning spouse
Payor’s Monthly ExpensesTheir basic monthly costs like housing, food, bills
Recipient’s Monthly NeedsEstimated costs for the receiving spouse to live
Length of MarriageTotal 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 MarriedMaintenance Guidance
0–5 YearsRare, short-term, or transitional support
6–14 YearsFixed-term, often based on time needed to become self-sufficient
15+ YearsLong-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.