The spousal maintenance statute in Arizona was amended, and as a result, the Supreme Court developed the new guidelines. The main change is that spousal maintenance awards should only be granted for a period of time and in an amount necessary for the receiving spouse to become self-sufficient.
In Arizona, alimony is considered reasonable if it is less than 50% of the paying spouse's income pre-divorce. Most reasonable spousal maintenance payments fall between 15% and 30% of the paying spouse's pre-divorce income to enable the receiving spouse to meet their own needs.
First Step: Eligibility for Alimony Judges may award alimony to a spouse who: doesn't have enough property to meet that spouse's needs, even after the couple's property has been divided in the divorce. doesn't have enough earning ability in the labor market to be self-sufficient.
Child support is never deductible and isn't considered income. Additionally, if a divorce or separation instrument provides for alimony and child support, and the payer spouse pays less than the total required, the payments apply to child support first. Only the remaining amount is considered alimony.
A. What is Arizona's policy about spousal maintenance duration? Under A.R.S. § 25-319(B), as revised effective September 24, 2022, the spousal maintenance award is only for a period of time and in an amount necessary to enable the receiving spouse to become self-sufficient.