New York's equitable distribution law specifies that you are entitled to a division of all “marital property” assets that were acquired during the marriage. With few exceptions, marital property generally includes both spouses' income, purchases made with that income, and retirement benefits.
Without minor children you take 20% of the lower-earning spouse's net income and 30% of the higher-earning spouse's net income. In this example we have $50,000 for the lower-earning spouse's income. 20% of that is $10,000. And we have $100,000 for the higher-earning spouse, and 30% of that is $30,000.
In most cases, if a spouse can work and their former spouse cannot afford to provide spousal support, the court can deny alimony. It is pertinent to note that New York is a no-fault divorce state, meaning both parties could cite fault grounds, however, it will not affect whether a spouse is granted spousal maintenance.
The court calculates the presumptively correct sum for spousal maintenance by deducting 20% of the requesting spouse's income from 30% of the other spouse's income. The lower figure from the two computations will determine the yearly maintenance award.
40% of the high earner's net monthly income minus 50% of the low earner's net monthly income. For instance, if Spouse A earns $5,000 per month and Spouse B earns $2,500 per month, temporary spousal support might be calculated as follows: 40% of $5,000 = $2,000. 50% of $2,500 = $1,250.
Typically, the judge will take 20% of the lower-earning spouse's income and subtract that number from 30% of the higher-earning spouse's income. For example, one spouse makes $100,000, and the other makes $20,000. Thirty percent of $100,000 is $30,000, and 20% of $20,000 is $4,000.
Not all divorces qualify for alimony. Courts consider factors like the length of marriage, income disparity between spouses, and ability to be self-sufficient.
NYC Spousal Support Calculation In 2021, the cap was $192,000. Effective March 1, 2022, the spousal support cap will be $203,000. If the payor-spouse's income is more than $203,000, the court uses the standard formula for the income up to and including the income cap.
Spousal maintenance is normally durational that is, it has a set duration, normally long enough for the payee spouse to become self-sufficient. However, there are cases, given age, health and inability to support themselves, that the payee may be awarded nondurational or permanent alimony.