Old Maintenance Calculator (BEFORE 2019)

Prior to 2019, Illinois spousal maintenance was based on the GROSS income of the parties. As of January 1, 2019, spousal maintenance is based on NET incomes and typically maintenance/alimony will no longer be tax deductible to the paying spouse under settlements reached after December 31, 2018. The calculator below only calculates spousal maintenance on the old law so it will not assist you in estimating maintenance awards set after 2018. It may assist in estimating maintenance due under a "true up" situations under the old statute.

This spousal maintenance calculator is based on the revised statute effective on January 1, 2018. The amount of maintenance did not change for 2018 but the method of setting the duration of maintenance did. The changes are reflected in the calculations below. NOTE: This calculator is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. You should consult with my office or another attorney who routinely practices family law before relying on this information.

What is the math behind this?   The amount of maintenance is calculated by taking 30% of the higher income spouse and subtract that from that 20% of the lower income spouse. As the lower earning spouse earns more income, a cap may reduce the maintenance. The cap: when maintenance is added to the gross income of the lower income spouse, it may not result in that spouse getting more than 40% of the combined gross income of the parties. 

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