Spousal Support in Illinois
State-specific overview · Family Law
Illinois uses a statutory formula for spousal support based on income percentages, with duration tied to marriage length.
How Illinois treats Spousal Support
Illinois law (750 ILCS 5/504) provides a formula where temporary support equals 30% of the payor's gross income minus 20% of the recipient's gross income, capped at 40% of combined gross income. For permanent support, the duration depends on marriage length: marriages under 5 years receive support for 20% of the marriage duration; 5–10 years for 30%; 10–15 years for 40%; and 15+ years may result in permanent support. The court may deviate from the formula based on statutory factors including standard of living, age, and earning capacity.
The general definition of Spousal Support
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another, typically during or after divorce proceedings.
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, is money one spouse pays to the other to help with living expenses during or after a divorce. It recognizes that one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage or may have lower earning potential. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and their age and health when determining if support is appropriate and how much to award. Spousal support can be temporary (lasting only during the divorce process) or permanent (continuing indefinitely or for a set period).
Read the full Spousal Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Illinois.