Washington Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support (maintenance) amount and duration in Washington. Updated for 2026.
Last reviewed July 2026 · Free · Nothing you enter is stored
Judicial discretion state
$0
estimated monthly spousal support ·
Educational estimate, not legal advice. Alimony in Washington is discretionary — actual awards vary widely by judge and circumstances.
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How alimony works in Washington
Washington does not use a fixed statutory formula for alimony amounts. Judges weigh statutory factors — length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, age and health, standard of living, and contributions to the marriage. Our calculator uses the AAML guideline formula (30% of payor's income minus 20% of recipient's) that attorneys commonly use for ballpark estimates.
Governing law: RCW 26.09.090 — Maintenance is whatever amount and duration the court deems just under six non-exclusive factors; practitioners cite an informal rule of thumb of roughly one year of maintenance per 3–4 years of marriage.
Frequently asked questions
How is alimony calculated in Washington?
Washington does not use a fixed statutory formula for alimony amounts. Judges weigh statutory factors — length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, age and health, standard of living, and contributions to the marriage. Our calculator uses the AAML guideline formula (30% of payor's income minus 20% of recipient's) that attorneys commonly use for ballpark estimates. See RCW 26.09.090.
How long does alimony last in Washington?
Duration is generally tied to the length of the marriage. Short marriages (under ~5 years) typically produce short-term or no support; long marriages (20+ years) can produce long-term support. Washington courts set duration case-by-case.
What types of alimony does Washington recognize?
Washington recognizes: maintenance (temporary, short-term, or long-term). Maintenance is whatever amount and duration the court deems just under six non-exclusive factors; practitioners cite an informal rule of thumb of roughly one year of maintenance per 3–4 years of marriage.
Is alimony taxable in Washington?
For divorces finalized after 2018, federal law (TCJA) makes alimony non-deductible for the payer and non-taxable for the recipient. A few states differ for state income tax — confirm with a tax professional.
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