Delaware Alimony & Spousal Support (2026)
Delaware has no formula for the amount of alimony — that is fully up to the judge. But state law does set a fixed limit on how long alimony can last, described below.
How long alimony can last
Delaware caps alimony eligibility at 50% of the length of the marriage. For marriages of 20 years or longer, there is no time limit on eligibility for alimony.
What determines alimony in Delaware
Under 13 Del. C. § 1512 (Delaware Code Title 13, § 1512), a court considers:
- Each party's financial resources
- Time and expense needed to acquire education or training for suitable employment
- Standard of living established during the marriage
- Duration of the marriage
- Each party's age, physical, and emotional condition
- Ability of the party paying alimony to meet their own needs while paying alimony
- Tax consequences
- Contribution of either party as a homemaker
- Any premarital agreement of the parties
- Standard of conduct of either party during the marriage
Good to know
- Delaware has no statutory formula for the amount of alimony — the amount is set by the court based on the statutory factors, only the maximum length of time someone can remain eligible is fixed by statute.
Also need a child support estimate?
Alimony and child support are calculated completely separately in Delaware. If you also have children, use our free Delaware child support calculator — that one does compute a real number, based on the official guideline formula.
Frequently asked questions
How long can alimony last in Delaware?
Delaware caps alimony eligibility at 50% of the length of the marriage. For example, a 10-year marriage caps eligibility at 5 years. If the marriage lasted 20 years or longer, there is no time limit on eligibility at all.
Is there a formula for how much alimony I'll get in Delaware?
No. Delaware fixes the maximum duration by statute, but the amount is entirely up to the court's discretion based on factors like both parties' financial resources, the standard of living during the marriage, and each spouse's age and health.
Source: Delaware Code Title 13, § 1512 · Last verified 2026-07-22
Disclaimer: This page explains the general legal framework for alimony in Delaware and is for informational purposes only — it is not legal advice and does not predict the outcome of any specific case. Laws change; always verify with the official source above or a family law attorney licensed in Delaware before making decisions.