How Much Alimony Can I Expect to Receive?

There is no exact formula for calculating how much you may receive from a former spouse through alimony. In Pennsylvania, courts have the power to determine how much one is required to pay in alimony and thus how much you will receive.

Courts look at several factors to determine how much you may be entitled to. They weigh factors relevant to both you and your former spouse throughout the marriage. A perk for someone receiving the alimony payment is that the court also considers how a former spouse's future life may be affected because of the divorce. 

Additionally, courts look into how long the spouses were married, how much they brought into marriage, any marital misconduct, the established standard of living, and many other factors.

Another important factor most people associate with alimony payments is income or earning capacity. Earning capacity is not always how much a person is making but how much that person could be making considering their age, education, experience, etc.  Courts will look at someone’s earning capacity if that person is underemployed or intentionally decreasing his/her income.

When it comes down to determining exactly how much you may receive, there is no clear-cut answer. After all, the discretion is left up to the court. That said, you may be more prepared based on some of these factors that courts consider.

In an attempt to avoid being blindsided by how much alimony you may (or may not) receive, evaluating these factors may be beneficial. Collecting information on your part in preparation for litigation, will save you time later on.

Just remember that the court makes the ultimate decision regarding the amount of alimony. There is no clear-cut rule requiring simple math. Instead, it is actually much more complicated and may require more time and effort to figure out than you may be anticipating.

*Disclaimer: the advice provided is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice.  It should not be relied on, nor construed as creating an attorney-client relationship.