Three Steps to Your Guideline Estimate
Our calculator simplifies New York's complex statutory formula into an intuitive, real-time process.
01.
Enter Annual Incomes
Input the gross (pre-tax) annual incomes for both the higher-earning (payor) and lower-earning (payee) spouse.
02.
Set Marriage Duration
Provide the total length of the marriage in years. This is critical for determining the advisory duration range.
03.
Analyze Instant Results
The guideline amount and advisory duration update in real-time as you type, giving you immediate feedback.
A Tool Built for New York Law
This calculator is specifically engineered to follow the maintenance guidelines set forth in the New York Domestic Relations Law.
Statutory Guideline Formula
Our tool runs both of New York's complex calculations and automatically displays the lower of the two, exactly as required by law. This provides the correct presumptive starting point for any analysis.
Payor Income Cap Logic
The formula correctly applies the statutory income cap (currently $203,000) to the payor's income, ensuring an accurate guideline calculation for most cases.
Advisory Duration Schedule
The calculator instantly provides the state's advisory range for the duration of payments, based on the specific percentage tiers tied to the length of the marriage.
Gain Clarity and Confidence
Understanding potential outcomes empowers you to make better decisions and navigate your divorce more effectively.
Demystify the Law
NY maintenance law is complex. Our tool translates the legal formulas into a clear, understandable estimate.
Plan Your Finances
Get an initial picture of your post-divorce financial reality, allowing you to plan budgets and set expectations.
What a NY Judge Considers
The formula is the starting point. A judge can deviate from the guideline after weighing nearly 20 statutory factors.
Age and Health of the Parties
A judge will consider if a party's age or health issues impact their ability to be self-supporting, which may justify a deviation from the guideline amount or duration.
Present and Future Earning Capacity
The court looks at each party's ability to earn income, considering their education, skills, and any need for training to re-enter the workforce.
The Marital Standard of Living
The lifestyle the couple was accustomed to during the marriage is a key benchmark. A judge will try to ensure both parties can maintain a reasonably comparable lifestyle.
Contributions as a Homemaker
The court recognizes the non-financial contributions of a spouse who acted as a homemaker or caregiver, which may have enabled the other spouse to advance their career.
New York Maintenance FAQ
Get clear answers to the most common questions about spousal maintenance in New York.
For divorces finalized after January 1, 2019, spousal maintenance is not tax-deductible for the payer and is not considered taxable income for the recipient on both federal and New York state tax returns.
Under New York law, the obligation to pay maintenance automatically terminates upon the recipient's remarriage, unless the parties have a written agreement stating otherwise.
Generally, no. New York is a no-fault divorce state, and marital misconduct is not one of the statutory factors for determining the amount or duration of maintenance. However, "wasteful dissipation" of marital assets could be considered.