Colorado Spousal Maintenance

Colorado has advisory guidelines for spousal maintenance in marriages of 3 to 20 years when the couple's combined annual adjusted gross income is $240,000 or less. Judges can depart from the guidelines with findings.

Guideline Amount

Take 40% of the couple's combined monthly adjusted gross income and subtract the lower earner's monthly income. Multiply the result by 80% if combined income is $10,000 a month or less, or by 75% if it is between $10,001 and $20,000 a month.

Example: combined income of $10,000 a month, lower earner $3,000. 40% of $10,000 is $4,000, minus $3,000 equals $1,000, times 80% equals about $800 a month.

Guideline Duration

Duration is a percentage of the marriage length that rises with the length of the marriage, capped at 50% from about 12.5 years. For example: 3 years, about 31% (11 months); 5 years, about 35% (21 months); 10 years, about 45% (54 months); 15 years, 50% (90 months); 19 years, 50% (114 months). Marriages over 20 years are left to the judge.

Tax

Spousal maintenance in divorces finalized after 2018 is not deductible or taxable on the federal return. State treatment can differ, so confirm with a tax professional.

Cost

See current Divorce.com pricing for your state; court filing fees are separate.