This article will tell you EXACTLY how long alimony will last in your scenario.Â
And it covers when alimony can be permanent.Â
(Meaning you could be paying it for the rest of your life.)
So, let’s dig in.Â
Divorce can be devastating. It’s heartbreaking when parents lose custody of their children. Spouses end up having to pay agonizing amounts of alimony.
If you want to protect your rights, not wrongfully lose custody, and not get raked over the coals financially, fill out the form below.Â
How Long Do You Have To Pay Alimony?
How long do you have to pay alimony varies.
It varies from state to state and judge to judge.Â
Each judge has the ability to decide how long you have to pay alimony.Â
The state does not give them a set equation to determine alimony.Â
But they do follow general guidelines for how long you have to pay alimony.Â
So what are the guidelines?Â
The table below will give you an idea for how long do you have to pay alimony.Â
Length of Marriage
% of Length of Marriage
Duration of Alimony
< 5 Years
20%
2 months - 1 year
5 - 6 Years
24%
1.2 - 1.4 years
6 - 7 Years
28%
1.7 - 2.0 years
7 - 8 Years
32%
2.3 - 2.6 years
8 - 9 Years
36%
2.9 - 3.3 years
9 - 10 Years
40%
3.6 - 4.0 years
10 - 11 Years
44%
4.4 - 4.8 years
11 - 12 Years
48%
5.3 - 5.8 years
12 - 13 Years
52%
6.3 - 6.8 years
13 - 14 Years
56%
7.3 - 7.8 years
14 - 15 Years
60%
8.4 - 9.0 years
15 - 16 Years
64%
9.6 - 10.3 years
16 - 17 Years
68%
10.9 - 11.6 years
17 - 18 Years
72%
12.3 - 13.0 years
18 - 19 Years
76%
13.7 - 14.4 years
19 - 20 Years
80%
15.2 - 16.0 years
20+ Years
100% - Permanent
20+ years
The factors that contribute to how long you pay alimony are:
each spouse’s individual income
the combined net annual income of both spouses
child support payments getting paid
alimony from previous marriages
Types Of Alimony
How long you have to pay alimony really depends on the type of alimony you have.Â