What is the average alimony payment in Illinois?
Ava Robinson
Published Feb 12, 2026
How is Alimony Calculated in Illinois? In 2019, this formula is used to calculate alimony in Illinois: (33% of the payer’s net income) – (25% of the payee’s net income) = the yearly maintenance paid. However, that spousal support cannot cause one spouse to earn more than 40% of the couple’s combined income.
Can you waive alimony in Illinois?
However, Illinois does allow couples to waive their right (and responsibility) to spousal maintenance. Parties have considerable discretion over alimony rights. You may be able to waive alimony altogether, limit the amount or duration of payments, or put certain, basic conditions on support.
What happens if someone refuses to pay alimony?
Contempt: If your spouse has refused or failed to pay your alimony, a judge may find your spouse in contempt of the court. If your spouse continues to refuse to pay, the court can take additional actions, such as charging more fines or even jail time.
How do I refuse alimony?
Following are nine tactics you can use to keep more of the money you earn – and avoid paying alimony.
- Strategy 1: Avoid Paying It In the First Place.
- Strategy 2: Prove Your Spouse Was Adulterous.
- Strategy 3: Change Up Your Lifestyle.
- Strategy 4: End the Marriage ASAP.
- Strategy 5: Keep Tabs on Your Spouse’s Relationship.
What qualifies you for alimony in Illinois?
The basic formula for alimony in Illinois is fairly simple: (33% of the payer’s net income) – (25% of the recipient’s net income) = the yearly maintenance paid. One condition to this is that the amount awarded cannot cause the receiving spouse to earn more than 40% of the couple’s combined net income.
How common is alimony in Illinois?
Marriage of less than 5 years: 0.20 percent of the duration of the marriage. 5 years or more but less than 6 years: 0.24 percent. 6 years or more but less than 7 years: 0.28 percent. 7 years or more but less than 8 years: 0.32 percent.
What to do if ex stops paying alimony?
You’ll need to file a motion (legal paperwork) with the court, and ask a judge to order your spouse to make the overdue payments and keep up with future payments. This is sometimes called a motion for enforcement or contempt.
How is alimony calculated in the state of Illinois?
Get An Estimate Using This Divorce Maintenance Calculator How is Alimony Calculated in Illinois? In 2019, this formula is used to calculate alimony in Illinois: (33% of the payer’s net income) – (25% of the payee’s net income) = the yearly maintenance paid.
How does spousal maintenance work in Illinois tax law?
For some foundational information on how spousal maintenance works in Illinois, check out our articles: Illinois Spousal Maintenance Explained, Changes to Spousal Maintenance Under 2019 Tax Laws, and How to Calculate Spousal Maintenance.
When does a court order spousal support in Illinois?
Married less than 5 years (0.20) Married For 20 years or more, the court will either order permanent spousal support or maintenance for the length of the marriage. So, for example, spousal support awarded to someone in a 10-year marriage would be paid for 4.4 years.
How is Maintenance determined in a divorce in Illinois?
However, if the parties’ combined income is under $500,000, the judge has to make specific findings of the reason for the deviation, and state the amount of maintenance and duration that would have been required under the guidelines (if determinable). Here in Illinois, the guidelines for calculating maintenance call for using a specific formula.