New York Spousal Maintenance Calculator
Apply Formulas A & B, the $228,000 payor cap, and the Self-Support Reserve in one streamlined workflow—complete with advisory duration and child support handoff.
Run the Guideline Formulas
Provide annual income, statutory deductions, custody context, and marriage length. We compare both formulas, apply the 40% cap test, and display the monthly award with advisory duration guidance.
Which best describes you?
Spousal Maintenance Projection
DRL § 236(B)(5-a) Temporary & Post-Divorce Maintenance Guidelines
Need income information
Provide annual income for at least one parent to evaluate maintenance.
Inside New York’s Maintenance Framework
New York’s maintenance guidelines use the higher earner’s income (capped at $228,000), compare Formula A and Formula B depending on child support obligations, and cap the result so the recipient never exceeds 40% of combined income. After the guideline amount is set, the court reviews the statutory factors to decide whether a deviation is warranted.
Formula Mechanics
- Formula A: (20% × Payor) − (25% × Payee) when payor also owes child support
- Formula B: (30% × Payor) − (20% × Payee) for all other scenarios
- 40% Combined Income Cap ensures income parity
Safeguards & Factors
- Self-Support Reserve prevents impoverishment of the payor
- Excess income flagged for discretionary factor analysis
- Advisory duration tied to the length of marriage (15–50%)
Guideline Workflow
- Determine adjusted income. Deduct FICA/Medicare, NYC/Yonkers resident tax, and prior court-ordered support from each parent’s gross income.
- Identify roles. The higher adjusted income is the presumptive maintenance payor; the other party is the payee.
- Calculate Formulas A & B. Select Formula A if the payor is expected to owe child support; otherwise Formula B controls.
- Apply the 40% cap test. Compare the selected formula to 40% of combined capped income minus the payee’s income; take the lower value.
- Enforce the Self-Support Reserve. Ensure the payor keeps at least $21,128 after maintenance; reduce the award if necessary.
Formula Transparency
See which formula applies, whether the cap or reserve limited the result, and how much income remains with the payor.
Duration Guidance
Duration ranges display in months so you can align negotiations with DRL § 236(B)(6)(f).
Child Support Ready
Maintenance output flows directly into our CSSA child support calculator for seamless guideline sequencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which maintenance formula does New York use?
There are two guideline formulas. Formula A applies when the payor will also pay child support; Formula B applies when no child support is owed. We evaluate both, apply the 40% cap test, and display the lower guideline result.
Does the calculator handle low-income payors?
Yes. If the maintenance payor’s adjusted income is at or below the Self-Support Reserve, the guideline amount is set to $0. If the payment would push income below the reserve, we reduce the award so the payor keeps $21,128.
What happens when the payor earns above $228,000?
We cap the formula at $228,000 as required. Any maintenance on income above that threshold is discretionary; we surface a note so you can review the statutory factors with counsel.
How is the advisory duration calculated?
The advisory schedule multiplies the length of the marriage by 15–30% (0–15 years), 30–40% (>15–20 years), or 35–50% (>20 years). We present the resulting month range next to the support amount.
Is this calculator valid for both temporary and post-divorce maintenance?
The statutory formulas are identical. Temporary awards end at judgment, while post-divorce maintenance generally follows the advisory duration unless the court deviates based on the DRL § 236(B)(5-a)(h) factors.
Primary References
Map Maintenance and Child Support Together
Export both results to share with clients, co-parents, or opposing counsel. The calculator documents every statutory checkpoint so you can focus on negotiation strategy.
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