Nebraska Alimony & Spousal Support (2026)
Unlike child support, Nebraska has no fixed formula for how much alimony (spousal support) costs or how long it lasts. A judge decides both based on a list of factors set out in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365. There is no calculator that can honestly give you an exact number here — but the factors below are what actually drives the decision.
What determines alimony in Nebraska
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365 (Nebraska Revised Statutes, Chapter 42, § 42-365), a court considers:
- Circumstances of the parties
- Duration of the marriage
- History of the contributions to the marriage by each party, including contributions to the care and education of the children
- Interruption of personal careers or educational opportunities
- Ability of the supported party to engage in gainful employment without interfering with the interests of any minor children in that party's custody
- Income and earning capacity of each party
- General equities of the situation
Good to know
- Section 42-365 directs courts to award alimony in an amount "reasonable" given the listed circumstances — it does not set a formula, percentage, or duration cap, and the statute is explicit that alimony and property division serve separate purposes and must be weighed independently.
- Nebraska courts have held the enumerated criteria are not an exhaustive checklist — a court can weigh any other factor bearing on the general equities between the parties.
Also need a child support estimate?
Alimony and child support are calculated completely separately in Nebraska. If you also have children, use our free Nebraska child support calculator — that one does compute a real number, based on the official guideline formula.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an alimony formula in Nebraska?
No. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365 tells courts to award a "reasonable" amount of alimony based on the parties' circumstances, but sets no formula, percentage, or fixed duration — the amount and length are left to the district court's discretion.
What factors determine alimony in Nebraska?
Under § 42-365, a Nebraska court considers the circumstances of both parties, the duration of the marriage, each spouse's contributions to the marriage (including child-rearing and education), any career or educational interruptions, the supported spouse's ability to work without harming any minor children in their custody, each spouse's income and earning capacity, and the general equities of the situation.
Source: Nebraska Revised Statutes, Chapter 42, § 42-365 · Last verified 2026-07-22
Disclaimer: This page explains the general legal framework for alimony in Nebraska 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 Nebraska before making decisions.