How long does alimony last? A 2026 state-by-state guide
Alimony duration is determined by your state's law, the length of your marriage, and your judge. Some states have precise statutory tables. Others leave duration entirely to judicial discretion. Here's how each approach works — with a duration table for the most formula-driven states.
The three approaches to alimony duration
- Statutory duration table — The law specifies duration as a percentage of the marriage length. (Illinois, New York advisory)
- Durational cap — The law sets a maximum but lets the judge award less. (Florida, Texas, Massachusetts)
- Fully discretionary — The judge decides based on statutory factors. Most states fall here.
Illinois statutory duration table
Illinois (750 ILCS 5/504) has the most precise duration statute in the US. Duration is a fixed percentage of the marriage length, determined by a table:
| Marriage length | Duration multiplier | Example (10-yr marriage) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 20% | — |
| 5–6 years | 24% | — |
| 6–7 years | 28% | — |
| 7–8 years | 32% | — |
| 8–9 years | 36% | — |
| 9–10 years | 40% | — |
| 10–11 years | 44% | 4.4 years |
| 11–12 years | 48% | — |
| 12–13 years | 52% | — |
| 13–14 years | 56% | — |
| 14–15 years | 60% | — |
| 15–16 years | 64% | — |
| 16–17 years | 68% | — |
| 17–18 years | 72% | — |
| 18–19 years | 76% | — |
| 19–20 years | 80% | — |
| 20+ years | Permanent (discretionary) | — |
New York — advisory duration schedule
New York (DRL §236(B)(6)) provides an advisory duration schedule that guides — but does not bind — the court:
- Under 15 years: 15%–30% of the marriage length
- 15–20 years: 30%–40% of the marriage length
- 20+ years: 35%–50% of the marriage length (indefinite possible)
For a 12-year marriage, the advisory range is roughly 1.8–3.6 years (15%–30% of 12). A judge can depart from this range with written reasons.Run the New York calculator →
Florida — durational caps after the 2023 reform
Florida eliminated permanent alimony in 2023. Duration is now capped based on marriage length:
- Short-term (under 10 years): max 50% of marriage length
- Moderate-term (10–20 years): max 60% of marriage length
- Long-term (20+ years): max 75% of marriage length
Note these are maximums. The court can award less.Run the Florida calculator →
Texas — duration caps by marriage length
Texas (Family Code §8.054) caps spousal maintenance duration as follows, once eligibility is met:
- 10–20 years married: maximum 5 years of maintenance
- 20–30 years married: maximum 7 years
- 30+ years married: maximum 10 years
- Disability or family violence: indefinite, subject to review
What ends alimony before the term expires?
In most states, alimony automatically terminates upon:
- Recipient's remarriage — nearly universal; happens automatically by statute in most states
- Either party's death — always terminates
- Court-ordered end date — the term in the divorce decree
- Recipient cohabitation — many states allow termination or suspension if the recipient lives with a new partner (varies by state)
- Substantial change in circumstances — either party can petition to modify or terminate if financial circumstances change significantly
Can alimony be permanent?
Yes, in some states and for long marriages. Before 2023, Florida allowed permanent alimony; that was eliminated. States like Georgia, South Carolina, and Massachusetts still allow open-ended (permanent) alimony at a judge's discretion for long marriages — particularly where one spouse is significantly older, disabled, or left the workforce for decades.
New York and Illinois don't use the word "permanent" but allow indefinite awards for 20+ year marriages via their advisory schedules.
Use the calculator for your state
Our free calculator applies the correct duration formula, cap, or advisory schedule for each state automatically.