Alimony is money one spouse pays the other after a split. Its goal is to help the lower-earning spouse get back on their feet. A Maryland alimony lawyer can help you ask for support. We can also help you respond to a request for it. Castro Law Group has guided Southern Maryland families since 1993.

Maryland has three types of alimony. The first is pendente lite alimony. This is temporary support paid while the divorce is still going on. The second is rehabilitative alimony. It is the most common type. It lasts for a set time while a spouse finishes school or job training. The third is indefinite alimony. It has no fixed end date and is the rarest type.

There is no formula for alimony in Maryland. Judges have wide leeway. Under Maryland Code, Family Law Section 11-106, the court must weigh a list of factors first. These factors set the amount and the length of support.

Many people search for a Maryland alimony calculator. No such tool gives a real answer. Maryland has no formula and no fixed guideline for support. The judge weighs the factors below instead. That is why two similar marriages can end with very different awards.

The court looks at the length of the marriage. It looks at the standard of living during the marriage. It looks at each spouse’s age and health. It also looks at whether each spouse can support themselves. No single factor decides the case on its own.

The court weighs more than money. It looks at what each spouse gave to the family. That includes non-money work, such as raising children. It looks at why the marriage ended. It also checks whether the paying spouse can still meet their own needs. Because so many factors apply, two similar marriages can end in very different awards.

Indefinite alimony is saved for special cases. A court may award it when a spouse cannot become self-supporting due to age, illness, or disability. A court may also award it when the two standards of living would be too far apart. Most awards are rehabilitative instead.

Maryland divorce law changed in October 2023. The state now allows divorce by mutual consent. It also allows divorce by irreconcilable differences or after a six-month separation. Alimony is tied to your divorce and to property division. It helps to plan all three together.

Support can change over time. Either person can ask the court to change it after a real change in circumstances. Some agreements make alimony non-modifiable. So the exact rule depends on your case. A Maryland alimony lawyer can tell you which rule applies to you.

Castro Law Group works from our office at 11701 Central Avenue, Suite 200, in Waldorf. We hold a 4.9-star Google rating. We handle alimony and child support matters for families in Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s counties.

If you have questions about spousal support, call Castro Law Group at (301) 870-1200. You can also read more about alimony in Maryland on our blog. Then reach out when you are ready to talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is alimony calculated in Maryland?

There is no formula for alimony in Maryland. Under Maryland Code, Family Law Section 11-106, the court weighs factors such as the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, each spouse’s age and health, and the ability of each spouse to support themselves.

Is there an alimony calculator in Maryland?

No. Maryland has no alimony calculator or formula. The judge weighs the factors in Family Law Section 11-106 to set the amount and length. Two similar marriages can end with very different awards, so no tool can predict your exact number.

What are the types of alimony in Maryland?

Maryland recognizes three types. Pendente lite alimony is temporary support during the divorce. Rehabilitative alimony lasts for a set period while a spouse finishes school or job training. Indefinite alimony has no fixed end date and is the rarest type.

Can alimony be changed after the divorce?

Support can be changed later if either person shows a real change in circumstances. Some agreements make alimony non-modifiable, so the exact rule depends on your case.

Do you handle alimony cases in Charles County and Calvert County?

Yes. We handle alimony and child support matters for families in Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s counties. Call (301) 870-1200 to discuss your case.