Alimony Calculator NC
Estimate North Carolina spousal support using multiple calculation methods. Includes duration estimator and eligibility checker based on NC alimony laws.
Important: NC Has No Official Alimony Formula
North Carolina courts have broad discretion in awarding alimony based on 16 statutory factors (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.3A). This calculator uses common industry guidelines (AAML formula) for estimation purposes only.
💰 Income Information
The spouse who would pay alimony (supporting spouse)
The spouse who would receive alimony (dependent spouse)
Quick Examples:
📊 Estimated Alimony
AAML Formula Estimate
per month ($24,000/year)
📋 Calculation Methods Comparison
💵 Post-Alimony Income
AAML Formula:
Alimony = (30% × $8,000) - (20% × $2,000)
= $2,400 - $400 = $2,000
⚖️ Understanding Alimony in North Carolina
Alimony (also called spousal support or maintenance) in North Carolina is financial support that one spouse pays to the other during and/or after a divorce. Unlike child support, NC does not have a fixed formula for calculating alimony—courts have broad discretion based on statutory factors.
Types of Spousal Support in NC
Post-Separation Support (PSS): Temporary support paid while the divorce is pending. It helps the dependent spouse maintain their lifestyle during the separation period.
Alimony: Long-term support awarded after the divorce is final. It can be rehabilitative (to help the spouse become self-supporting), durational (for a set time), or permanent (rare, usually for long marriages where the dependent spouse cannot become self-sufficient).
The 16 Factors NC Courts Consider
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.3A, courts consider multiple factors including: marital misconduct, relative earnings and earning capacity, ages and health of both spouses, duration of the marriage, contributions to the other spouse's education or career, standard of living during marriage, education levels, assets and liabilities, property brought to the marriage, contributions as homemaker, and other relevant circumstances.
⚠️ Important: Marital Misconduct Rules
- If the dependent spouse (seeking alimony) committed adultery → No alimony
- If the supporting spouse (paying) committed adultery → Must pay alimony
- If both committed adultery → Court has discretion
When Does Alimony End?
In North Carolina, alimony automatically terminates when: the recipient spouse remarries, the recipient spouse begins cohabitating with another adult in a marriage-like relationship, or either spouse dies. The court may also set a specific end date when awarding alimony.
📊 AAML Formula
Alimony =
30% × Payor Income
- 20% × Recipient Income
Cap: Recipient total ≤ 40% of combined income
📅 Duration Guide
5 yrs marriage → 2-2.5 yrs
10 yrs marriage → 4-5 yrs
15 yrs marriage → 6-7.5 yrs
20+ yrs → May be permanent
Formula: Marriage × 0.40 to 0.50
⚠️ Misconduct Impact
❌ You cheated → No alimony
✅ Spouse cheated → Must pay
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Frequently Asked Questions
North Carolina does not have an official formula for calculating alimony. Instead, judges consider 16 factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.3A, including each spouse's income, earning capacity, standard of living during marriage, duration of marriage, and marital misconduct. Many attorneys use the AAML formula (30% of payor's income minus 20% of recipient's income) as a guideline estimate.
The duration of alimony in NC varies based on the length of marriage and circumstances. A common guideline is 40-50% of the marriage length. For example, a 10-year marriage might result in 4-5 years of alimony. Marriages of 20+ years may result in longer or even permanent alimony if the dependent spouse cannot become self-supporting.
In North Carolina, alimony can be denied if the dependent spouse (the one seeking alimony) engaged in illicit sexual behavior (adultery) during the marriage before or on the date of separation. Additionally, if the recipient remarries or cohabitates with another adult in a marriage-like relationship, alimony payments will terminate.
There's no fixed 'average' alimony payment as it depends entirely on both spouses' incomes. Using the AAML formula, if the payor earns $10,000/month and the recipient earns $3,000/month, the estimated alimony would be approximately $2,400/month ($10,000 × 30% - $3,000 × 20%). However, actual amounts vary significantly based on the 16 factors courts consider.
In North Carolina, marital misconduct significantly impacts alimony. If the dependent spouse (seeking alimony) committed adultery, the court must deny alimony. Conversely, if the supporting spouse (paying) committed adultery, the court must award alimony. If both spouses committed adultery, the court has discretion to award or deny alimony.
No, North Carolina does not have an official statutory formula for calculating alimony. The court has broad discretion to determine the amount and duration based on 16 factors in the law. However, many family law attorneys use the AAML (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers) formula as a guideline: Alimony = 30% × Payor's Income - 20% × Recipient's Income, with a cap that the recipient's total income shouldn't exceed 40% of combined income.
NC courts consider: (1) marital misconduct, (2) relative earnings, (3) ages and health, (4) duration of marriage, (5) contribution to spouse's education/career, (6) standard of living, (7) education levels, (8) assets and liabilities, (9) property brought to marriage, (10) contribution as homemaker, (11) needs of custodial parent, (12) federal tax consequences, (13) any equitable distribution award, (14) relative needs, (15) relative debt, and (16) any other relevant factor.
⚖️ Legal Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. North Carolina courts have broad discretion in awarding alimony based on 16 statutory factors. Consult with a licensed North Carolina family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.