1. What is Illinois Spousal Maintenance?

Spousal maintenance (formerly called alimony) is court-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to another after divorce. Illinois law provides guidelines for calculating maintenance based on both spouses' incomes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Illinois maintenance formula:

Where:

• Higher Income — The gross annual income of the higher-earning spouse
• Lower Income — The gross annual income of the lower-earning spouse
• 0.3 (30%) — Percentage applied to higher income
• 0.25 (25%) — Percentage applied to lower income

Note: The result cannot be negative. If the calculation results in a negative number, maintenance is $0.

3. Importance of Maintenance Calculation

Details: Accurate maintenance calculation helps ensure fair financial support while considering both parties' financial situations. It's used in divorce proceedings to determine temporary or permanent maintenance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both spouses' gross annual incomes in dollars. The calculator will automatically apply the Illinois formula to estimate maintenance.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this calculator accurate for all cases?
A: This provides an estimate based on the standard formula. Courts may adjust amounts based on specific circumstances.

Q2: What if maintenance exceeds 40% of combined income?
A: Illinois law caps maintenance at 40% of the parties' combined net income.

Q3: How long does maintenance last?
A: Duration depends on the length of marriage. For marriages under 5 years, maintenance typically lasts 20% of the marriage length.

Q4: Are there exceptions to this formula?
A: Yes, courts may deviate for marriages under 5 years, high-income cases, or when the formula would be inappropriate.

Q5: Does child support affect maintenance?
A: Yes, child support obligations are considered separately and may affect the final maintenance amount.