Virginia Alimony Estimator

How Virginia alimony works

Virginia has a statutory formula for pendente lite (temporary) spousal support: 26% of the payor spouse's gross monthly income minus 58% of the payee's gross monthly income (for cases with minor children) or 30% of the payor's gross income minus 50% of the payee's gross income (for cases with no minor children). For permanent spousal support, there is no statutory formula; however, the Fairfax County formula (27% of payor's gross income minus 50% of payee's income without minor children, or 26% of higher earner's gross monthly income minus 58% of lower earner's gross monthly income with minor children) is often used as a guideline by judges. Key factors: Needs, responsibilities, and financial resources of each spouse (including pension, profit sharing, or retirement plans), standard of living during the marriage, duration of the marriage, age and physical/mental condition of each spouse, contributions (monetary and non-monetary) to the well-being of the family, earning capacity of each spouse, education and training of each spouse, provisions made with regard to marital property, and other factors necessary to do equity between the parties. Duration: Rehabilitative support is for a specific, limited duration. Permanent support continues indefinitely until a terminating event. For marriages between 5 and 20 years, courts often use a 'half' rule, where alimony lasts for approximately half the length of the marriage. For marriages over 20 years, permanent alimony is more likely.