[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_wrap=”wrap” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” margin_top=”80px” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ lazy_load=”none” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” absolute=”off” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” scroll_motion_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” user_select=”” awb-switch-editor-focus=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”left” content_alignment=”left” disable_idd=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” html_attributes=”W10=” width_medium=”” width_small=”” width=”” min_width_medium=”” min_width_small=”” min_width=”” max_width_medium=”” max_width_small=”” max_width=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”16px” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”var(–awb-color6)” render_logics=”” logics=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]
One of the most potent tools in mediation work isn’t a persuasive argument or clever negotiation tactics. It’s a spreadsheet. More specifically, it’s the ability to model out what your financial life will actually look like under different maintenance scenarios over the next five to ten years. And if you live in New York City, that can be quite a challenge!
When couples negotiate maintenance in a New York divorce, they’re often arguing over snapshots rather than movies. One spouse says, “I need $3,000 a month.” The other says, “I can’t afford $3,000 a month.” But what you really need to understand is what happens over time—how income grows, expenses evolve, property division interacts with maintenance, and whether the path to financial independence is realistic.
Financial modeling transforms mediation from positional bargaining into collaborative problem-solving. This is precisely the kind of sophisticated financial analysis that litigation can’t accommodate and that many mediators lack the training to provide.
Multi-Year Cash Flow Projections
The foundation is creating realistic cash flow projections for both spouses, mapping income and expenses month by month for at least 5 years.
For the receiving spouse, start with current monthly expenses—housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, debt payments, and child-related costs. Then consider how those expenses might change. Will housing costs decrease? Will childcare costs drop when your youngest starts school?
For income, project forward. If you’re returning to work full-time once kids are in school, when does that happen, and what income can you expect? If you’re completing a certification, when does that change your earning capacity?
The paying spouse needs the same analysis. What are essential expenses post-divorce? How much income is genuinely available for maintenance?
When you lay out five years of monthly cash flow, patterns emerge. You can see where cash crunches will occur, when financial pressure eases, and whether proposed maintenance creates sustainable outcomes or predictable crises.
Modeling Maintenance Combined With Property Division
Maintenance and property division aren’t separate conversations—they’re deeply interconnected. A New York maintenance agreement that looks reasonable in isolation might create problems when combined with how you’re splitting assets.
Model several scenarios simultaneously. What happens if the receiving spouse gets the house with $200,000 in equity and no liquid assets, plus $2,500 monthly maintenance for four years? Compare that to getting $100,000 in investment accounts, $100,000 in retirement accounts, no house equity, with $3,000 monthly maintenance for three years.
Consider income from distributed assets. If you’re receiving $300,000 in investment accounts earning 4% annually, that’s $12,000 in income per year. Does that change what maintenance amount makes sense?
Look at liquidity carefully. One scenario might give you more total value, but it’s tied up in retirement accounts. Another provides less total value but more liquid assets. Which serves your needs better? The model shows you by projecting accessible cash flow, not just net worth.
This integrated financial modeling requires genuine expertise. With an MBA in finance, we can build these models rigorously. In litigation, you’re fighting over each piece separately rather than optimizing the complete financial picture.
Analyzing the Path to Self-Sufficiency
One of the most essential uses of financial modeling is testing whether the receiving spouse’s path to self-sufficiency is realistic. It’s easy to say, “I’ll get my nursing certification and earn $65,000 in three years.” It’s more complex to model whether you can actually afford school while covering expenses.
Start with the goal—what income level do you need to be self-supporting? Then work backward. What steps are required? How long does the program take? What’s a realistic timeline to rebuild your career?
Model the transition period. If you’re going to school part-time while working part-time, what’s your reduced income? How do expenses compare to income plus maintenance?
This modeling often reveals that proposed timelines are unrealistic. Maybe maintenance duration is based on “three years to get certified,” but the model shows you’ll need six months after certification to find the right job. When both spouses can see the projected path with real numbers, you’re both looking at what’s actually achievable.
Stress-Testing Your Assumptions
Financial modeling isn’t just about creating one projection—it’s about testing what happens if your assumptions are wrong. Life doesn’t unfold according to plan.
Create multiple scenarios. What if the paying spouse’s income doesn’t grow as expected? What if the receiving spouse’s return to work takes longer? What if investment returns are lower than assumed?
Model the optimistic scenario where everything goes better than expected, the pessimistic scenario where everything goes wrong, and the most likely scenario in the middle. If your maintenance agreement only works in the optimistic scenario, you might need different terms or adjustment mechanisms.
This stress-testing is particularly important for step-down provisions. If maintenance drops from $3,000 to $1,500 after two years based on expected income increase, model what happens if that increase doesn’t materialize.
How Objective Data Depersonalizes Emotional Discussions
The emotional charge around maintenance often comes from feeling unheard or disbelieved. When the receiving spouse says, “I can’t survive on less than $3,000 a month,” and the paying spouse responds, “That’s ridiculous,” you’re at an impasse.
Financial modeling changes that dynamic. Instead of arguing about whether $3,000 is reasonable, you’re looking at a spreadsheet showing monthly expenses, income sources, and resulting cash flow. If the model shows that the receiving spouse will run through their liquid assets and be unable to pay their mortgage in year three, that’s not drama; it’s math.
Couples go from heated argument to calm problem-solving when we put projections on the screen. Instead of “you’re being unreasonable,” it becomes “the model shows a cash crunch in year two, so what can we adjust?”
The paying spouse benefits from this objectivity, too. When you can show through modeling that you genuinely can’t afford the requested amount, it’s much more compelling than just saying “I can’t afford it.”
Making Informed Decisions Together
The real power of financial modeling is that it allows both spouses to make truly informed decisions. You’re seeing plausible scenarios based on reasonable assumptions, and you can adjust those assumptions to test different possibilities. It’s not just for Wall Street power brokers.
We often spend significant time together building financial models. Both spouses see the inputs, understand the assumptions, and can suggest changes. The modeling reveals trade-offs more clearly. Maybe if the receiving spouse takes a larger share of the property, they can afford to accept lower maintenance. Or the paying spouse can afford higher maintenance if the duration is shorter.
Sometimes the modeling reveals you need to think differently. Maybe the guideline maintenance amount creates long-term problems, but a hybrid approach works. You wouldn’t necessarily discover that creative solution through negotiation alone.
Why This Level of Financial Analysis Matters
Financial modeling in mediation isn’t about replacing human judgment with cold calculation. It’s about giving that judgment a solid foundation in information.
What the modeling does is move you from arguing about competing stories to solving a shared problem. The financial projections help you see whether what you’re considering will actually work.
Here’s what’s critical: this kind of sophisticated financial modeling requires genuine financial expertise. Many mediators come from legal or mental health backgrounds and don’t have the training to build multi-year cash flow projections, model the interaction between property division and maintenance, or analyze paths to self-sufficiency with this level of rigor.
We actively bring this financial modeling capability to the mediation process. We actually build the models, run the scenarios, and show you the numbers. That’s the difference between facilitation and active guidance—between generic mediation and working with someone who has both mediation skills and financial expertise.
In litigation, this collaborative financial modeling doesn’t happen. You’re fighting over positions rather than exploring scenarios together. Competing financial experts might prepare projections designed to support adversarial positions, not to help you find workable solutions collaboratively.
Couples who invest time in serious financial modeling reach stronger agreements. They understand what they’re agreeing to, they’ve tested it against various scenarios, and they’re confident it will hold up. The spreadsheets turn what often feels like an impossible negotiation into a problem you can solve together—with precise numbers, realistic projections, and a shared understanding of what the future holds.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ margin_top=”60px” margin_bottom=”60px” hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ lazy_load=”none” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” absolute=”off” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” motion_effects=”W10=” scroll_motion_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ padding_top=”50px” padding_right=”20px” padding_bottom=”50px” padding_left=”20px” hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”30px” border_radius_top_right=”30px” border_radius_bottom_right=”30px” border_radius_bottom_left=”30px” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” background_color=”#f4f3ef” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ lazy_load=”none” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” absolute=”off” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” motion_effects=”W10=” scroll_motion_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_code]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[/fusion_code][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_wrap=”wrap” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” padding_bottom_medium=”50px” padding_bottom_small=”30px” padding_top=”100px” padding_bottom=”100px” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_label=”FAQ Alimony in New York” admin_toggled=”no”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ lazy_load=”none” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” absolute=”off” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” motion_effects=”W10=” scroll_motion_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_title title_type=”text” scroll_reveal_effect=”color_change” scroll_reveal_basis=”chars” scroll_reveal_behavior=”always” scroll_reveal_duration=”500″ scroll_reveal_stagger=”200″ scroll_reveal_delay=”0″ scroll_reveal_above_fold=”yes” marquee_direction=”left” marquee_mask_edges=”no” marquee_speed=”15000″ rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”once” highlight_animation_duration=”1500″ highlight_width=”9″ highlight_smudge_effect=”no” highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” content_align_small=”left” content_align=”left” size=”2″ font_size=”38px” text_color=”var(–awb-color4)” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_stroke=”no” text_stroke_size=”1″ text_overflow=”none” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”60px” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”default” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”static” animation_speed=”1.0″ animation_delay=”0.5″]
FAQs About Spousal Maintenance in New York
[/fusion_title][fusion_accordion type=”toggles” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” boxed_mode=”yes” border_size=”2″ border_color=”#d8e8f2″ hover_color=”#f4f3ef” padding_top=”10px” padding_right=”5px” padding_bottom=”10px” padding_left=”5px” title_tag=”h4″ fusion_font_family_title_font=”Poppins” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”600″ title_font_size=”18px” title_color=”var(–awb-color6)” icon_size=”25px” icon_color=”#d8e8f2″ icon_boxed_mode=”no” icon_box_color=”#d8e8f2″ icon_alignment=”right” content_font_size=”16px” content_color=”var(–awb-color6)” toggle_hover_accent_color=”var(–awb-color6)” toggle_active_accent_color=”var(–awb-color6)”][fusion_toggle title=”1. What is spousal maintenance in New York and how is it different from alimony?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]Spousal maintenance is the current legal term in New York for financial support that one spouse pays to another during or after divorce. “Alimony” is an older term replaced in New York law years ago. The purpose is to help the financially dependent spouse meet reasonable needs and become self-supporting.
In mediation, we discuss maintenance as part of your overall financial planning rather than as something imposed by external rules. Understanding that maintenance serves as a bridge to financial independence helps frame productive conversations about what makes sense for your specific situation.[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”2. What are the different types of spousal maintenance available in New York?” open=”no” awb-switch-editor-focus=”New York recognizes three types: informal spousal support during separation, temporary maintenance paid during the divorce process, and post-divorce maintenance paid after finalization. Temporary maintenance helps maintain financial stability while the divorce proceeds, while post-divorce maintenance facilitates the transition to financial independence. Receiving temporary maintenance doesn’t automatically guarantee post-divorce maintenance. In mediation, we help you structure the transition between phases using step-down provisions or rehabilitative plans that align with realistic timelines. This integrated approach works better than treating phases separately, which often happens in litigation.” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]New York recognizes three types: informal spousal support during separation, temporary maintenance paid during the divorce process, and post-divorce maintenance paid after finalization.
Temporary maintenance helps maintain financial stability while the divorce proceeds, while post-divorce maintenance facilitates the transition to financial independence. Receiving temporary maintenance doesn’t automatically guarantee post-divorce maintenance.
In mediation, we help you structure the transition between phases using step-down provisions or rehabilitative plans that align with realistic timelines. This integrated approach works better than treating phases separately, which often happens in litigation.[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”3. How is spousal maintenance calculated in New York?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]
New York uses statutory formulas that consider both spouses’ incomes and whether child support is involved. Without child support, the formula subtracts 20% of the receiving spouse’s income from 30% of the paying spouse’s income. With child support, it subtracts 25% of the receiving spouse’s income from 20% of the paying spouse’s income. There’s also a check calculation: 40% of combined income minus the receiving spouse’s income. The lower result generally serves as the guideline amount.
As of 2025, the formula applies to income up to $228,000. For income above that cap, how New York approaches maintenance becomes more discretionary, based on factors like standard of living during the marriage, earning capacity, career sacrifices, and health conditions.
While these formulas provide a starting point, they often produce results that don’t match real-world circumstances. In mediation, we calculate what the guidelines would produce, then explore whether that makes sense for your situation or whether creative alternatives might work better. With an MBA in finance, we can model different scenarios, show you tax implications, and help you understand long-term financial impact. This rigorous financial analysis goes well beyond simply plugging numbers into a formula.
[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”4. How long does spousal maintenance last in New York?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]How New York approaches duration depends on marriage length. For 0-15 year marriages, maintenance typically ranges from 15-30% of the marriage length. For 15-20 year marriages, it’s 30-40%. For marriages over 20 years, it’s 35-50%.
These are ranges, not fixed rules. A twelve-year marriage might result in maintenance for roughly 2-4 years, depending on factors like age, employability, and career sacrifices. Maintenance typically ends when either spouse dies or when the receiving spouse remarries.
In mediation, we model different duration scenarios and their long-term impacts. We help you think through whether standard ranges make sense or whether step-down provisions or review mechanisms would work better.[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”5. Who qualifies for spousal maintenance in New York?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]
Qualification requires demonstrating financial need—meaning you lack sufficient income or assets to meet reasonable expenses—while the other spouse has the financial ability to provide support. If both spouses earn similar incomes and have comparable resources, maintenance is unlikely.
How New York evaluates eligibility involves examining income disparity, particularly where one spouse sacrificed career opportunities to support the family. The requesting spouse’s employability skills and realistic earning potential matter. A spouse’s role as homemaker or support system for the higher-earning spouse’s career is relevant.
In mediation, we examine actual earning capacity, career timelines, and financial needs with specificity rather than making worst-case or best-case assumptions.
[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”6. What factors does New York consider when determining spousal maintenance?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]
How New York approaches maintenance involves thirteen statutory factors: age and health of both parties, earning capacity, need for education or training expenses, wasteful dissipation of marital property, domestic violence that inhibited earning capacity, medical insurance availability and cost, care of children, reduced lifetime earning capacity due to forgone career opportunities, pre-marital joint household duration, contributions to the marriage, property distribution, tax consequences, and other relevant factors.
In litigation, attorneys argue about how these factors apply. In mediation, we work through them together to build shared understanding and structure maintenance that acknowledges what’s most important to both of you.
[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”7. Is spousal maintenance automatic in New York divorces?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]
No, maintenance is not automatic. Unlike child support which is mandatory when children are involved, maintenance is based on specific financial circumstances.
In litigation, someone petitions for maintenance and makes arguments about why it should be awarded. In mediation, you can have open conversations about whether maintenance makes sense, how much, and for how long, without adversarial positioning. You can negotiate your own arrangement as part of a comprehensive settlement that considers property division, tax planning, and your long-term goals together.
This flexibility is one of mediation’s most valuable advantages.
[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”8. What are the tax implications of spousal maintenance in New York?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]
For divorces finalized after January 1, 2019, federal tax law changed significantly: the paying spouse can no longer deduct maintenance payments, and the receiving spouse doesn’t report them as income on federal returns. However, New York state tax law didn’t change—maintenance payments remain deductible for the paying spouse and taxable to the receiving spouse on state returns.
This creates a split where you must file federal and state taxes differently regarding maintenance. The federal tax law change eliminated what had been a significant incentive for higher maintenance amounts, as payors could previously reduce their taxable income through these deductions.
This tax complexity is exactly where financial expertise makes a critical difference. Understanding the actual after-tax cost and benefit requires sophisticated modeling that most people—and many mediators—aren’t equipped to do. With an MBA in finance, we can model the tax impact accurately, show you side-by-side scenarios, and help you structure maintenance in ways that maximize the benefit to both parties when tax treatment is considered. This kind of analysis can reveal opportunities for structuring agreements that litigation simply doesn’t accommodate.
[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”9. Can spousal maintenance be paid as a lump sum instead of monthly payments?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]
Yes, lump-sum maintenance is possible. Rather than monthly payments over time, one spouse provides the full maintenance amount upfront.
This works when the paying spouse has sufficient liquid assets and values finality. For the receiving spouse, benefits include immediate access to funds and no concerns about future ability or willingness to pay. However, recipients lose flexibility since lump-sum payments typically can’t be modified.
Evaluating whether lump-sum maintenance makes sense requires rigorous financial analysis: calculating present value of payment streams, assessing liquidity and tax implications, and understanding opportunity costs. This is where financial expertise matters significantly.
[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title=”10. What is the income cap for calculating spousal maintenance in New York?” open=”no” title_color=”var(–awb-color8)” content_color=”var(–awb-color8)”]As of 2025, New York’s statutory formula applies to income up to $228,000. For income above that cap, how maintenance is determined becomes more discretionary based on factors like standard of living during the marriage, financial needs, and ability to maintain reasonable needs while providing support.
When you’re dealing with income above the cap, financial sophistication becomes essential. Rather than a simple formula, you’re negotiating based on complex factors, often involving variable compensation like bonuses, stock options, or business income. In mediation with financial expertise, we can analyze these complex structures, model different scenarios, and help you structure agreements that make financial sense.[/fusion_toggle][/fusion_accordion][fusion_text disable_idd=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]
The Mediation Advantage for Maintenance Discussions
Throughout these FAQs, you’ve seen references to mediation as an alternative to litigation. In litigation, attorneys fight over what guidelines produce and argue about how factors apply. You’re spending tens of thousands on adversarial processes that often produce outcomes neither party accepts. For co-parents, this poisons the relationship foundation you need for years ahead.
In mediation, you’re working together to understand what the guidelines say, whether they fit your circumstances, and what alternatives might work better. When you combine that collaborative process with genuine financial expertise—the ability to model scenarios, calculate present values, analyze tax impacts, and structure creative solutions—you get agreements that are both fair and sustainable.
That’s what makes the difference between maintenance arrangements that work and ones that create ongoing conflict.
[/fusion_text][fusion_code]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[/fusion_code][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_wrap=”wrap” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” padding_top=”50px” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_label=”Call to Action” admin_toggled=”yes”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”60.00″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ lazy_load=”none” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” absolute=”off” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” motion_effects=”W10=” scroll_motion_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ padding_top=”50px” padding_right=”20px” padding_bottom=”50px” padding_left=”20px” hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”30px” border_radius_top_right=”30px” border_radius_bottom_right=”30px” border_radius_bottom_left=”30px” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” background_color=”#d8e8f2″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ lazy_load=”none” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” background_slider_skip_lazy_loading=”no” background_slider_loop=”yes” background_slider_pause_on_hover=”no” background_slider_slideshow_speed=”5000″ background_slider_animation=”fade” background_slider_direction=”up” background_slider_animation_speed=”800″ sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” absolute=”off” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” motion_effects=”W10=” scroll_motion_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_title title_type=”text” scroll_reveal_effect=”color_change” scroll_reveal_basis=”chars” scroll_reveal_behavior=”always” scroll_reveal_duration=”500″ scroll_reveal_stagger=”200″ scroll_reveal_delay=”0″ scroll_reveal_above_fold=”yes” marquee_direction=”left” marquee_mask_edges=”no” marquee_speed=”15000″ rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”once” highlight_animation_duration=”1500″ highlight_width=”9″ highlight_smudge_effect=”no” highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” content_align_small=”center” content_align=”center” size=”2″ font_size=”38px” text_color=”var(–awb-color4)” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_stroke=”no” text_stroke_size=”1″ text_overflow=”none” margin_top=”0px” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”default” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”static” animation_speed=”1.0″ animation_delay=”0.5″]
Lay the groundwork for a peaceful divorce
[/fusion_title][fusion_button link=”/tag/courses-kits” enable_hover_text_icon=”no” title=”Explore Courses” target=”_self” aria_role_button=”0″ alignment=”center” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”btn-style-blue” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”var(–awb-color4)” button_gradient_top_color=”var(–awb-custom_color_2)” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”var(–awb-color4)” button_gradient_bottom_color=”var(–awb-color4)” linear_angle=”180″ accent_color=”var(–awb-color5)” border_top=”2px” border_right=”2px” border_bottom=”2px” border_left=”2px” border_radius_top_left=”30px” border_radius_top_right=”30px” border_radius_bottom_right=”30px” border_radius_bottom_left=”30px” border_hover_color=”var(–awb-color5)” border_color=”var(–awb-color5)” size=”large” fusion_font_family_button_font=”Poppins” fusion_font_variant_button_font=”700″ font_size=”16px” stretch=”default” margin_top=”22px” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” hover_transition=”none” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”static” animation_speed=”1.0″ animation_delay=”0.5″]Explore Courses[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_global id=”2082″]