Tennessee alimony amount
Tennessee courts use statutory factors to decide alimony amount and duration.
Tennessee Code § 36-5-121 directs courts to consider each spouse's earning capacity, obligations, needs and financial resources; education and training; marriage length; age and health; parenting responsibilities; separate assets; property division; marital standard of living; contributions to the marriage; relative fault when appropriate; tax consequences; and other equitable factors. [1]
The statute does not state a statewide percentage formula that converts income into a final alimony amount. That is why this page asks you to enter a payment instead of generating one.
Types of Tennessee alimony
Tennessee law recognizes four forms of alimony.
Rehabilitative alimony can support an economically disadvantaged spouse while that spouse works toward a reasonably comparable earning capacity. Alimony in futuro can provide long-term support when rehabilitation is not feasible. Transitional alimony can help a spouse adjust to the economic consequences of divorce when rehabilitation is not necessary. Alimony in solido is a fixed total amount that can be paid as a lump sum or in installments. [1]
A Tennessee court can award one form or a combination. This calculator does not decide which form applies to a specific case.
Questions about Tennessee alimony calculations.
Does Tennessee use a formula to calculate alimony?
Tennessee Code § 36-5-121 does not provide a statewide percentage formula for final alimony amount or duration. Courts apply the statutory factors and the rules for the different alimony types.
Does Tennessee prefer one type of alimony?
The statute states an intent to rehabilitate an economically disadvantaged spouse when rehabilitation is feasible. Other forms remain available when the facts support them.
What does the payment in this calculator represent?
It is a payment you enter. The calculator shows how that payment changes both household budgets. It does not predict an award or select an alimony type.
Tennessee alimony sources and calculator limits
- 01Tennessee Code § 36-5-121, Decree for support of spouse
- 02Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts: Alimony Bench Book, 20th Edition
Public-source check: September 6, 2026. Current calculator rules release: 0.18.0. The payment worksheet is arithmetic and does not model statutory need, ability to pay, fault, rehabilitation, tax consequences, or the selection and termination rules for each alimony type. This specification is not attorney reviewed.