UK Spousal Maintenance Calculator
Enter Details
After tax, include bonuses/12, child maintenance received
Before tax
How to Use
- Gather monthly figures: net pay after tax/deductions, housing (rent/mortgage), bills, child payments.
- Annual items like holidays divide by 12.
- Adjust for children: higher needs increase payer surplus.
- Click Calculate for monthly estimate.
- Tweak values for scenarios like bonuses or job loss.
Calculation Method
Payer Surplus = Net Income – Housing – Other Expenses – Child Maintenance Paid – Debts.
Payee Needs = (Gross Income * 0.67) – Housing – Other Expenses + Child Maintenance Received – Debts.
Maintenance = max(0, (Payer Surplus – Payee Needs) * 0.33). Adjusts for fairness, assumes equal needs post-child costs.
Frequent Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this cover child maintenance? | No, input child payments separately; this focuses on spousal only. |
| What if no income? | Zero or negative suggests no payment; consider capital/assets. |
| Can it be lifetime? | Possible but courts prefer fixed terms until self-support. |
| Housing costs unequal? | Enter actuals; bigger differences reduce payments. |
Formula Comparisons
| Approach | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Income Shares | Splits surplus after needs; used here. |
| Needs-Based | Covers shortfall only; ignores payer surplus. |
| Clean Break | Lump sum preferred over ongoing. |
Common Errors
- Using gross income for payer: always net after tax.
- Forgetting annuals/12: bonuses, holidays must monthly average.
- Ignoring child ages: under 16 raises needs; update post-16.
- Unequal housing: enter real costs, not averages.
- Overlooking pensions: long-term add retirement factors.
References
Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, Section 25. UK Parliament.
White v White [2000] UKHL 54. House of Lords.
SS v NS (Spousal Maintenance) [2014] EWHC 4183 (Fam). High Court of Justice.
Child Maintenance Service Guidelines. Department for Work and Pensions.
Mostyn J, Pallister v Pallister [2020] EWHC 1764 (Fam).