North Carolina Alimony Calculator

Under §50-16.3A, if the court finds the supporting spouse committed illicit sexual behavior during the marriage, the court shall award alimony to the dependent spouse. Conversely, if the dependent spouse committed illicit sexual behavior, the court shall deny alimony — unless both parties engaged in such behavior, in which case the court has discretion.

Post-separation support (PSS) is temporary alimony paid during the period of separation before the divorce is final. It is governed by §50-16.2A and is based on financial need and the payor's ability to pay. PSS ends when a final alimony order is entered or the divorce is denied.

Under §50-16.3A(b), the 16 factors include: marital misconduct, relative earnings and earning capacities, ages and health, duration of the marriage, contributions to the household, standard of living, education and training needs, assets and liabilities, property brought to the marriage, and the contribution of one spouse as homemaker.

The court sets a specific term or, in appropriate cases, may award permanent alimony. North Carolina still allows indefinite alimony for long marriages. The court has discretion to order a fixed term or leave alimony open-ended.