How Long Does Alimony Last? State Rules and a Duration Calculator
Updated · By the Law Figures editors
General information, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and change, so check the sources below or ask a lawyer licensed in your state before you act. Legal disclaimer
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How long alimony lasts depends mostly on how long the marriage lasted, and each state sets its own rule. New York gives judges an advisory schedule based on a percentage of the marriage's length. Florida caps most alimony at a share of the marriage and no longer lists permanent alimony. California's general guideline is half the length of the marriage, except for marriages of 10 years or more, where the court keeps jurisdiction with no set end date.
| State | Rule for how long | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Advisory: 15–30% of the marriage's length up to 15 years, 30–40% over 15 up to 20, 35–50% over 20 | DRL § 236(B)(6)(f)(1) |
| Florida | Bridge-the-gap up to 2 years; rehabilitative up to 5; durational up to 50% of a marriage under 10 years, 60% of 10 to 20, 75% of 20 or more; no durational after a marriage under 3 years | § 61.08(5)–(8) |
| California | Generally half the length of the marriage; for a marriage of 10 years or more, no set end date | Family Code §§ 4320(l), 4336 |
We checked all three on November 7, 2026. Other states use their own formulas or leave duration to the judge, and every state lets courts consider the specific facts.
Run your marriage's length
Put in the length of the marriage as your state measures it. The calculator shows each state's duration rule side by side.
Alimony duration calculator
- New York advisory range
- 1.8 yr to 3.6 yr
- Florida durational, at most
- 7.2 yr
- California guideline
- No set endlong marriage
These are the statutes' durations, not a prediction for your case. Courts can depart from them, and remarriage, cohabitation or a change in income can end or change support.
For a 12-year marriage, New York's advisory range is 1.8 to 3.6 years, Florida's durational alimony can last up to 7.2 years, and California treats it as a marriage of long duration with no set end. These are limits and guidelines, not what a court will order in your case.
What ends alimony early
Even when an order has a set length, payments can end or change sooner. Common reasons include:
- Remarriage of the person receiving support, in many states.
- Living with a new partner in a supportive relationship, in some states.
- Death of either spouse, unless the order or agreement says otherwise.
- A big change in income or need, through a court request to modify.
- An agreement between the former spouses that the court approves.
Read your judgment or settlement: an agreement can say support can't be modified, and that can be hard to undo.
Amount and duration are separate
Duration answers "for how long"; the amount answers "how much each month." Some states, like New York, have a formula for the amount too, with an income cap. Others leave it to the judge. A shorter duration doesn't mean a smaller monthly payment, and the two are often negotiated together.
Questions to ask a family lawyer
- How does my state measure the length of the marriage: to separation or to filing?
- Is there a formula for the amount, and does it apply to our incomes?
- Can the order be modified later, and what would it take?
- Would remarriage or cohabitation end it here?
- How does alimony interact with child support?