How Much Alimony Can I Expect to Pay?

There is no clear-cut rule on how much alimony you will owe your spouse or how much your spouse may owe you. Instead, Pennsylvania courts weigh many factors to determine the amount of alimony due.

Let’s debrief the concept of alimony. What is it? The concept of alimony requires that one spouse make payments to their former spouse following their divorce under a court order. Courts will decide whether alimony is necessary and award it as it considers reasonable.  Alimony is awarded only when the court cannot meet the needs of both spouses by distributing the marital estate.  But how much can the spouse have to pay if the court does decide that alimony is necessary and reasonable?

The courts of Pennsylvania weigh 17 factors in determining the amount and duration of payments. The first is the relative earnings or earning capacities of both spouses. “Earning capacity” is a key phrase here, as courts may look at your college degree or degrees and your work history to determine that your earning capacity is more than you currently make.

If this is the case, your alimony payment may be calculated on a number higher than your current salary. Some words of wisdom: quitting your current, well-paying job will not help you avoid paying alimony. In fact, getting another job that pays less won’t guarantee a lesser alimony payment, so don’t make rash decisions about your job.   The court will still require you to pay according to the amount you can earn, whether you are earning that amount or not.

Courts may also consider the age, physical, mental, and emotional condition of each party, the duration of the marriage, the source of each party’s income, the standard of living established throughout the marriage, the expected inheritances of the parties, and many other factors.

The ultimate answer to how much you may be required to pay to your former spouse in alimony is that it depends. There is no universal formula to calculate your payments. Instead, the fate of your alimony order is in the hands of the judge.

Each situation is different, and the court rules differently in each case. Before you head in front of the judge, these factors are something to consider. Just remember, if your circumstances dictate an alimony award, it is not something you can escape, so don’t try to avoid it with any rash decisions.

*Disclaimer: this article is for informational purposes only. It is not providing legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship.