Tennessee Alimony Calculator
Alimony Analysis
What Is Alimony in Tennessee?
Alimony is financial support one spouse may be ordered to pay the other after divorce. Tennessee recognizes different types of alimony, including:
- Rehabilitative alimony – to help a spouse gain education or job skills.
- Transitional alimony – temporary support during the adjustment period after divorce.
- Alimony in futuro (long-term support) – usually for long-term marriages.
- Lump sum alimony – a one-time settlement.
The goal is to balance fairness, considering one spouse’s need and the other’s ability to pay.
How the Tennessee Alimony Calculator Works
The Tennessee Maintenance (Alimony) Calculator uses straightforward inputs to estimate possible support. It’s not perfect, but it gives couples and attorneys a starting point.
You’ll enter the following details:
- Payor’s Gross Monthly Income – the spouse who may pay support.
- Recipient’s Gross Monthly Income – the spouse requesting support.
- Recipient’s Monthly Needs – expenses like housing, food, and bills.
- Length of Marriage (Years) – affects type and duration of alimony.
- Marital Fault – whether either spouse’s behavior (such as infidelity) might affect support.
Behind the Numbers: Formula and Multipliers
Here’s how the calculator crunches the data:
- Recipient Shortfall = Recipient’s needs – Recipient’s income.
- Payor’s Ability to Pay = Payor’s income × 0.35 (35% baseline).
- Payment Estimate = The lower of recipient shortfall or payor’s ability.
- Range Multiplier = ±20% to show a realistic payment window.
Example: If the payor earns $7,000/month and the recipient earns $2,000 with $3,800 in needs:
- Shortfall = $1,800
- Payor ability = $2,450
- Payment = $1,800
- Estimated Range = $1,440 – $2,160
How Marriage Duration Shapes Results
The length of the marriage influences the type of alimony:
- Long-term marriage (20+ years): Courts often consider Alimony in Futuro (long-term support).
- Shorter marriages: Courts lean toward rehabilitative or transitional alimony to help the recipient regain independence.
This distinction makes duration a critical factor in Tennessee cases.
The Role of Marital Fault
Tennessee is one of the few states where fault still matters in alimony decisions:
- Recipient at fault: Support may be denied or reduced.
- Payor at fault: Support may be increased in amount or duration.
- No fault: The court focuses mainly on finances.
The calculator reflects this by adjusting the analysis text based on your selection.
Why the Calculator Is Only an Estimate
It’s important to remember:
- Courts look at multiple statutory factors beyond income and needs.
- Judges have wide discretion in awarding support.
- Results vary by county, judge, and case details.
The calculator provides a guideline, not a guarantee. It’s best used to start conversations and prepare for what to expect.
Key Benefits of Using the Tennessee Alimony Calculator
- Clarity: Understand how income differences affect potential support.
- Planning: Estimate ranges before court or mediation.
- Awareness: See how fault and marriage length may impact outcomes.
- Confidence: Approach legal discussions with more informed expectations.
