{"id":1004,"date":"2016-10-27T16:19:14","date_gmt":"2016-10-27T16:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.womensfamilylawyers.com\/?page_id=1004"},"modified":"2026-08-26T10:33:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T15:33:59","slug":"spousal-support","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.womensfamilylawyers.com\/family-law\/chicago-divorce-lawyers\/spousal-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Spousal Support"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Reviewed by Joshua P. Haid<\/a>, Managing Partner<\/h3>\n

Chicago Spousal Support & Maintenance Lawyers for Women<\/h1>\n

One of the hardest questions in a divorce is also one of the most practical: will I be able to support myself? If you earn less than your spouse, or set aside a career to raise your children or support their work, that question can feel like the ground giving way. Spousal support exists precisely to answer it \u2014 to give you the footing to rebuild your independence, not to leave you starting from nothing after years of building a life together.<\/p>\n

Estimate your support now.<\/strong> Use the calculator below for a quick estimate of what Illinois maintenance might look like in your situation, then read on to understand how the numbers really work \u2014 and how to make sure your award reflects the truth.<\/p>\n

ALIMONY \/ MAINTENANCE CALCULATOR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

In Illinois, what people call alimony or spousal support is legally called maintenance<\/strong>, and it is governed by 750 ILCS 5\/504<\/a>. It is not automatic and it is not a punishment \u2014 the court first decides whether maintenance is appropriate for your situation, then applies a formula to set the amount and how long it lasts. Whether you receive a fair award, and whether it reflects what your spouse truly earns, depends heavily on how your case is presented.<\/p>\n

The Women\u2019s Divorce & Family Law Group by Haid and Teich LLP has protected women\u2019s financial futures in Chicago divorces for more than 15 years \u2014 the first firm in the area built around women\u2019s and mothers\u2019 rights, recognized as Super Lawyers from 2016 through 2025 and featured in O, The Oprah Magazine<\/em> and ELLE<\/em>. Managing partner Joshua P. Haid built his career on business litigation, which matters here more than most people realize: maintenance is calculated on net income<\/em>, and a spouse who is self-employed or paid through a business can understate what they earn to shrink your support. We make sure the number reflects the truth.<\/p>\n

Find out what you may be entitled to \u2014 try our <\/em>alimony calculator<\/em><\/a>, then talk with a Chicago spousal support lawyer in a free, confidential consultation. Call <\/em>312-445-8830<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

What is really at stake: your financial security<\/h2>\n

Spousal support is not about getting even \u2014 it is about being able to stand on your own after a divorce reshapes your life. For a woman who earned less, or who paused a career to raise children and support a spouse\u2019s, the end of a marriage can mean facing the future with far less earning power than the person on the other side of the table. Maintenance is meant to bridge that gap \u2014 to help you regain your footing, retrain or re-enter the workforce, and maintain something close to the life you built. What is at stake is real and long-term: too little support, or support cut too short, can shape your finances for years. Getting it right protects the independence you are working to rebuild.<\/p>\n

How is spousal maintenance calculated in Illinois?<\/h2>\n

For couples whose combined gross income is under $500,000, Illinois uses a guideline formula: 33\u2153% of the payor\u2019s net income minus 25% of the recipient\u2019s net income<\/strong>, capped so that your total income does not exceed 40% of the couple\u2019s combined net income (750 ILCS 5\/504). Because maintenance is no longer taxable to the recipient or deductible to the payor, the formula runs on net<\/em> income \u2014 what each spouse actually takes home. Duration<\/strong> depends on the length of the marriage: the number of years married is multiplied by a percentage that rises the longer you were married, and for a marriage of 20 years or more<\/strong>, the court can order maintenance for a period equal to the marriage or on an indefinite basis. Our alimony calculator<\/a> gives you a rough estimate; the real figure depends on how income is established.<\/p>\n

Do I qualify for spousal support in Illinois?<\/h2>\n

Maintenance is not automatic \u2014 the court first decides whether it is appropriate before any formula applies. Under 750 ILCS 5\/504(a), the judge weighs factors including each spouse\u2019s income and property, the needs of each, present and future earning capacity, any impairment to your earning capacity from time spent on the home or children, the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and each spouse\u2019s age and health. Illinois is no-fault, so who caused the divorce does not affect maintenance. If you earn significantly less than your spouse, or gave up income or advancement for your family, you may well qualify \u2014 and the way your circumstances are presented makes a real difference to the outcome.<\/p>\n

How we protect your right to support<\/h2>\n

From the first meeting, our focus is your financial security \u2014 a maintenance award that is fair, reflects the truth, and actually holds. We build the full financial picture, and where a spouse is self-employed or paid through a business, we use discovery and forensic analysis to establish their real net income, so your support is not shortchanged by an understated figure. We make the case for the right amount and the right duration for your marriage, and we structure it to protect you against later attempts to reduce it. And if your circumstances or your spouse\u2019s change down the road, we handle the modification. Your ability to rebuild your life should not be left to chance or to the other side\u2019s version of the numbers.<\/p>\n

Related:<\/strong> Chicago Divorce<\/a> \u00b7 Divorce After a Long Marriage<\/a> \u00b7 Child Support<\/a> \u00b7 High Net Worth Divorce<\/a><\/p>\n

Your financial future is worth protecting. Estimate your support with our <\/em>calculator<\/em><\/a>, then reach out for a free, confidential consultation.<\/em>
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Reviewed by Joshua P. Haid, Managing Partner Chicago Spousal Support & Maintenance Lawyers for Women One of the hardest questions in a divorce is also one of the most practical: will I be able to support myself? If you earn less than your spouse, or set aside a career to raise your children or support … <\/p>\n

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