VERMONT ALIMONY CALCULATOR

What Is the Alimony Calculator?

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If you are getting divorced in Vermont, you may be entitled to receive a monthly alimony payment from your former spouse. Our alimony calculator will help you determine what payment you can expect to receive. There are a number of other factors the judge must consider before turning to the alimony calculator, so we have listed those factors below. At the bottom of the page, you will find a tool to estimate your alimony payment. Just remember that these other factors could change the amount of the alimony!

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In Vermont, alimony is generally called "spousal maintenance". There are a lot of things that go into a spousal maintenance order - you can read more about the basics here.

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Alimony/spousal maintenance is determined by a number of factors. The judge in your case will need to consider each factor, and determine whether to order one spouse to pay spousal maintenance to the other, how much spousal maintenance is appropriate, and the length of time the maintenance should last. 

 

The factors for awarding alimony/spousal maintenance:

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1. First, the judge must consider the financial resources of each spouse after the divorce. If one spouse leaves the marriage with more property and money than the other, that's something that could influence the decision. The judge must also review the incomes the parties have, and decide whether the party asking for spousal maintenance has enough income to support his or her needs independently.
    

2. Second, the judge must consider the time and expense it would take for the spouse to obtain education in order to get a better job.  If the receiving spouse has the opportunity to increase his or her income, but needs time to do so, that's something the judge will take into consideration.
    

3. Third, the judge must think about the standard of living the couple had during the marriage. If the couple had a high standard of living because of the amount of income coming in, that will influence the decision as well.
    

4. Fourth, the judge will look at how long the couple was married. The longer the marriage, the more likely the judge is to award one party spousal maintenance, and the longer the maintenance will probably last.
    

5. Fifth, the judge must consider the parties' ages and health. This is important to the question of how long they are expected to work before retiring.
    

6. Sixth, the judge must look at whether the paying spouse can meet his or her financial needs while paying spousal maintenance.
    

7. Seventh, the judge will consider the cost of inflation.
    

8. Eighth, the judge will consider the impact of Social Security eligibility on each spouse.

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Finally, the judge will use a set of guidelines to determine a range of spousal maintenance that is appropriate in your case. The judge can pick an amount within this range, and can, if the other factors indicate that it's appropriate, award something else entirely. However, in the majority of cases, the spousal maintenance falls within the guidelines. These guidelines determine a maintenance amount based on your annual income, your former partner's annual income and the number of months you were married. Enter these details below to figure out how much alimony you can expect to receive. Just bear in mind that this estimate is just that - an estimate of what a judge is likely to do, unless the other factors in your case lead to a different conclusion.

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Have questions about your alimony?

Contact me.