Indiana Alimony & Spousal Support (2026)
Alimony is legally possible in Indiana, but it is not commonly awarded. Courts favor other approaches, and the situations where alimony does apply are narrow. See the details below before assuming you will pay or receive alimony.
What determines alimony in Indiana
Under Ind. Code § 31-15-7-2 (Indiana Code § 31-15-7-2 (Spousal Maintenance)), a court considers:
- Recipient spouse's earning capacity
- Educational level of each spouse at the time of marriage and at the time the action is filed
- Whether either spouse interrupted education, training, or employment because of homemaking or childcare responsibilities
- Time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment
- Custodial spouse's need to forgo employment because of a child's physical or mental incapacity
Good to know
- Indiana does not have general "alimony" the way most states do. Since a 1977 law change, Indiana only allows a narrower "spousal maintenance" in three specific situations: (1) incapacity of the receiving spouse, (2) a spouse who is the custodian of a child whose physical or mental incapacity requires the custodian to forgo employment, or (3) rehabilitative maintenance, which is capped by statute at 3 years from the date of the final divorce decree.
- Rehabilitative maintenance is the category most people mean when searching for "Indiana alimony," and it is time-limited (max 3 years) and tied specifically to education/training needs — it is not an open-ended support award like alimony in many other states.
Also need a child support estimate?
Alimony and child support are calculated completely separately in Indiana. If you also have children, use our free Indiana child support calculator — that one does compute a real number, based on the official guideline formula.
Frequently asked questions
Does Indiana have alimony?
Not in the traditional sense. Indiana replaced general alimony with a narrower "spousal maintenance" in 1977, available only for incapacity, being the custodian of a disabled child, or rehabilitative maintenance (capped at 3 years) tied to education or job training needs.
How long does spousal maintenance last in Indiana?
It depends on the category. Incapacity-based maintenance can continue as long as the incapacity lasts, subject to court review. Rehabilitative maintenance — the most common type — is capped at 3 years from the date of the final divorce decree.
Is there a formula for Indiana spousal maintenance?
No. Indiana has no amount formula. The court sets the amount and, for rehabilitative maintenance, the length (up to the 3-year cap) based on factors like the receiving spouse's education, earning capacity, and any time out of the workforce for homemaking or child care.
Source: Indiana Code § 31-15-7-2 (Spousal Maintenance) · Last verified 2026-07-22
Disclaimer: This page explains the general legal framework for alimony in Indiana 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 Indiana before making decisions.