Colorado Family Law Tools
Colorado Spousal Maintenance Calculator
Wondering how much spousal maintenance (also called alimony) could be awarded in your Colorado divorce?
Our free Colorado Spousal Maintenance Calculator gives you a quick estimate using Colorado’s current guideline formula under Colorado Revised Statutes §14-10-114. Enter a few numbers to see an estimated monthly payment and duration.
It’s fast, free, and a helpful place to start before making decisions about your finances.
Before you use this calculator
A Quick Note From Our Attorneys
"A calculator can give you a good estimate, but it can’t tell your whole story. Every family is different and factors like income and how long you were married can affect whether maintenance is awarded, and how much. We help our clients understand what these number actually mean for your specific situation."
Keep in mind that this calculator provides an estimate, not a court order. Judges may award a different amount depending on the facts of your case. This is not legal advice and is for informational purposes only. This calculator is based on Colorado’s statutory maintenance guidelines and is reviewed regularly for accuracy. It cannot account for every legal or financial factor that may affect your case, so the result should be used as a starting point.
What Does This Estimate Mean
Colorado has a formula for calculating spousal maintenance, but judges don’t just plug numbers into a calculator for the answer. Courts also consider things like:
- Unusual income
- Self-employment
- Bonuses and commissions
- Existing support obligations
- Whether the guideline amount is fair
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Spousal Maintenance
These are the questions we hear most often from people using our Colorado Spousal Maintenance Calculator.
Colorado calculates spousal maintenance using a statutory formula for many divorces.
For marriages that qualify under the guidelines, the formula generally compares each spouse's gross monthly income and the length of the marriage to estimate both:
- the monthly maintenance payment
- how long maintenance may last
Judges may depart from the guideline when the facts of the case make another result more appropriate. You can also find family law forms and self-help resources through the Colorado Judicial Branch.
Yes. Colorado law now uses the term spousal maintenance instead of alimony, but they mean the same thing. Spousal maintenance is financial support that one spouse may pay to the other during or after a divorce.
The Colorado Bar Associatio provides additional educational resources about Colorado family law.
Usually, Colorado's maintenance guidelines only apply to marriages that last for at least 36 months. That doesn't automatically mean maintenance will or won't be awarded for shorter marriage. Every case depends on the specific facts.
Colorado typically looks at gross income, which may include:
- Salary and wages
- Overtime
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Self-employment income
- Rental income
- Investment income
- Retirement income in some situations
Determining income and understand spousal maintenance in Colorado can become much more complicated when someone owns a business, has irregular earnings, or receives compensation other than a paycheck.
Our calculator follows Colorado’s guideline formula and is reviewed and updated if the laws change. But no online calculator can account for every legal issue a judge might look at. You can think of your estimate as a handy tool for planning ahead.
Yes. Judges in Colorado are free to award a different amount from the guideline when the situation allows. Typically, the final ordered amount of support is affected by things like unusual income, financial hardship, or other case-specific issues.
Sometimes. When there's a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, like a major change to income, employment, or financial need, the court can modify the existing maintenance order if permitted under Colorado law.
Colorado’s Judicial Branch provides instructions for filing a Motion to Modify or Terminate Maintenance.
Go deeper
Related Resources
Attorney-written guides to help you understand what comes next.
Want a More Accurate Estimate?
Every divorce is different. Share a few details about your situation, and a Colorado family law attorney can explain how the law applies to you, without any pressure. Know your options, and the next step is always yours.
Our approach
Making Sense of Your Estimate
A calculator can show you an estimated payment, but it doesn’t explain how the number fits into your life. Knowing how Colorado’s guidelines could affect your spousal support payments gives you a stronger starting point for the conversations and decisions ahead.
Need Help Understanding Your Results?
Whether you’re planning for divorce, negotiating child support, or requesting a modification, understanding your options can help you make informed decisions for your family.
Tools & Resources
Explore More Colorado Family Law Calculators
Child support is just one part of the financial picture. Explore our other Colorado calculators to better understand spousal maintenance, attorney fees, property division, and more.
A Colorado Family Law Office Near You
Our Colorado Offices
Meet with a Colorado family law attorney at one of our offices across the state or schedule a virtual consultation.
