1. What is Spousal Maintenance in NY?

Spousal maintenance (also called alimony) in New York is court-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to the other after divorce. The amount is determined by a formula that considers both spouses' incomes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the New York maintenance formula:

Where:

• Lower Income — The income of the spouse who would receive maintenance
• Higher Income — The income of the spouse who would pay maintenance

Explanation: The formula aims to balance the incomes between spouses while considering the payer's ability to pay.

3. Importance of Maintenance Calculation

Details: Accurate maintenance calculation helps ensure fair financial support during divorce proceedings and helps both parties plan their post-divorce finances.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both spouses' annual incomes before taxes. The calculator will estimate the annual maintenance amount. The result will never be negative - if the formula produces a negative number, it will show $0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this formula always used in NY?
A: This is the guideline formula, but judges may deviate based on factors like child support, marital standard of living, or health issues.

Q2: How long does maintenance last?
A: Duration depends on marriage length (15-30% of marriage duration for marriages under 15 years, 30-50% for longer marriages).

Q3: What income is considered?
A: All income including wages, bonuses, commissions, investment income, and sometimes imputed income if a spouse is underemployed.

Q4: Does child support affect maintenance?
A: Yes, child support payments may be considered when determining maintenance amounts.

Q5: Can maintenance be modified?
A: Yes, if there's a substantial change in circumstances (job loss, significant income change, etc.).