Free consultations and case assessments are available by appointment. Off-hours and weekend appointments are available.
We are a texting firm. To hear back from a licensed attorney faster, text us.
Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq., PLLC.
Alimony Calculator
Determining spousal support or alimony can be a challenging aspect of concluding a divorce settlement. It involves a financial contribution from one spouse to the other aimed at guaranteeing that both parties can uphold a standard of living comparable to what they experienced during their marriage.
It is important to seek the legal advice of an experienced Manhattan alimony lawyer to help you understand the laws surrounding spousal support in NY.
The objective of spousal support is not to penalize one spouse or confer a benefit to the other. Rather, it is intended to address any imbalances that may arise from the termination of a marriage. Getting the assistance of an experienced Manhattan divorce attorney can help in negotiating the amount of spousal support and modifying or enforcing an order, if necessary.
The court may take into consideration if one spouse has contributed to the marriage through other ways, such as by managing household responsibilities or caring for children. By examining the specific circumstances of a couple’s case, the court determines an appropriate duration and sum of spousal maintenance.
Presently, in New York, there is a system in place to determine the presumptively correct sum for spousal maintenance or alimony. This eliminates much of the guesswork from the calculation.
Typically, spousal support or spousal maintenance is not permanent, as the expectation is that the recipient spouse will eventually secure employment or acquire the education and training necessary to become financially self-sufficient. The requesting spouse must prove a need for short or long-term financial aid and a financial disparity between the parties.
In New York, judges often use the following method to calculate maintenance:
The lower figure from the two computations will determine the yearly maintenance award. The court may “deviate” and either increase or decrease the award based on the situation, but at least the calculation provides a rough idea of the sum.
Other factors that influence the amount granted include whether there is also a child support award and if the payor’s income exceeds $192,000. In the latter instance, the court may award additional alimony based on other factors such as the age and health of the parties, their existing and potential earnings, and the need for one spouse to incur education or training expenses.
The court also determines the duration of the award using a formula based on time brackets and an estimated number of years. For marriages lasting between 15 and 20 years, maintenance may be given for a period between 30% and 40% of the total marriage length. For longer marriages, maintenance may be awarded for a period between 35% and 50% of the total marriage length. For instance, if a marriage lasted 30 years, maintenance could last anywhere from 10 to 15 years.
“Most kind and professional lawyer. A true gift. He saved me from the brutal claw of my management company and saved me a lot of money and pain.”
— Shira Arad ( via Google )
Schedule a Free Consultation
Check our
Temporary Maintenance | First Spouse | Second Spouse | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Gross Income | $83.33 | $83.33 | $166.66 |
Net Income | $58.33 | $58.33 | $116.66 |
Maintenance Payment | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Gross Income After Maintenance | $83.33 | $83.33 | $166.66 |
Looking For Experienced Attorney?
We are a texting firm. To hear back from a licensed attorney faster, text us.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Free Consultations and Case Assessments Are Available by Appointment. Off-Hours and Weekend Appointments Are Available.
Learn about
In New York, there are two types of alimony or financial support that a court can order:
It’s important to note that receiving maintenance is not guaranteed in every divorce case. If the court deems it appropriate, it can award either temporary maintenance, postdivorce maintenance, or both to either spouse.
Factors Influencing Spousal Support Calculation | Details |
---|---|
Income of each spouse | The court calculates the presumptively correct sum for spousal maintenance by deducting 20% of the requesting spouse’s income from 30% of the other spouse’s income. The lower figure from the two computations will determine the yearly maintenance award. |
Child support award | The amount of child support awarded can influence the amount of spousal support awarded. |
Payor’s income | If the payor’s income exceeds $192,000, the court may award additional alimony based on other factors such as the age and health of the parties, their existing and potential earnings, and the need for one spouse to incur education or training expenses. |
Length of marriage | For marriages lasting between 15 and 20 years, maintenance may be given for a period between 30% and 40% of the total marriage length. For longer marriages, maintenance may be awarded for a period between 35% and 50% of the total marriage length. |
“Attorney Richard Shum assisted my family and I with a very difficult landlord. At a time of a lot of concern and uncertainty, Mr. Shum was there for us every inch of the way, his confidence and vast knowledge of the law, together with his passion for it and for helping people, provided us the serenity to go on about our life, while he took care of they daunting matter. At the end we reached an agreement only Atterney Shum could achieve. Since I recommended his service to any friends that is in need of help with legal matters, from Landlord/Tenant to family court, and in every case I receive a thank you call from said friends, following the successful outcome he provided. So, as I say to my friends, if you need an Attorney that will fight for you, and not stress you out, call this guy. you will thank me.”
— Gaby Savransky ( via Google )
We Are Here to Help You
If you’re going through a divorce and need help with spousal support, it’s important to choose an experienced NYC alimony attorney who knows how to handle complicated financial matters in divorce cases.
Manhattan spousal support attorney Richard Shum and his team have a proven track record of representing clients who have dealt with various spousal support issues, whether they were the ones paying or receiving support. Regardless of how spousal support or alimony is involved in your divorce, our team will make sure you get a fair and reasonable outcome by guiding you through the divorce process.
To schedule a consultation, contact us today at (646) 259-3416.
“In both cases attorney Shum was great to work with. Navigating both of these situations was, at times, confusing. Attorney Shum made the details of both matters easy for me to comprehend.”
— Dylan J. (via Avvo.com)
Table of Contents
ToggleSchedule a Free Consultation
Practice Areas
Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Please be advised that the results achieved in any given case depend upon the exact facts and circumstances of that case. The Richard Roman Shum Law Office cannot guarantee a specific result in any legal matter. Any testimonial or case result listed on this site is based on an actual legal case and represents the results achieved in that particular case, and does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction of the outcome of any other legal matter.
Copyright © 2025, Richard Roman Shum. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by BSPE Legal Marketing.