New Jersey Alimony & Spousal Support (2026)
New Jersey 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
For marriages or civil unions under 20 years, the 2014 Alimony Reform Act caps total alimony duration at the length of the marriage itself, except in exceptional circumstances. For marriages of 20 years or longer, open durational alimony (with no fixed end date) is available.
What determines alimony in New Jersey
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23 (New Jersey Alimony Reform Act (P.L. 2014, c. 42)), a court considers:
- Each party's needs and ability to pay
- Duration of the marriage or civil union
- Standard of living established during the marriage and likelihood each party can maintain a comparable standard
- Each party's earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability
- Length of absence from the job market of the party seeking alimony
- Parental responsibilities for the children
- Each party's age and physical/emotional health
- Income available through investment of any assets held by either party
- Each party's tax treatment and consequences of any alimony award
- Contribution by each party to the marriage, including contributions to the career of the other
- Any other factors the court deems relevant
Good to know
- New Jersey's 2014 reform eliminated permanent alimony but did not add an amount formula — courts still decide the specific dollar amount case-by-case using the statutory factors. Only the maximum length (for marriages under 20 years) is fixed by statute.
Also need a child support estimate?
Alimony and child support are calculated completely separately in New Jersey. If you also have children, use our free New Jersey child support calculator — that one does compute a real number, based on the official guideline formula.
Frequently asked questions
How long does alimony last in New Jersey?
For marriages under 20 years, the 2014 Alimony Reform Act caps total alimony at the length of the marriage — a 12-year marriage caps alimony at 12 years, except in exceptional circumstances. Marriages of 20 years or longer can qualify for open durational alimony with no fixed end date.
Did New Jersey eliminate permanent alimony?
Yes, in 2014. Permanent alimony was replaced with "open durational alimony" for marriages of 20+ years, and a duration cap tied to marriage length for shorter marriages. Amount is still decided case-by-case; only duration has a fixed statutory limit.
Source: New Jersey Alimony Reform Act (P.L. 2014, c. 42) · Last verified 2026-07-22
Disclaimer: This page explains the general legal framework for alimony in New Jersey 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 New Jersey before making decisions.