How Long Do You Have to Be Married to Get Alimony?
July 26, 2026 · 1 min read · Updated July 10, 2026
There's no universal number, but length of marriage is a major factor in alimony. Here's how it typically works.
In this article
Free divorce tips
Occasional, useful guidance. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ready when you are
Begin your divorce online
Take the first step at your own pace. No account needed to start.
Begin your divorce- Attorney-reviewed guides
- All 50 states + DC
- Flat fee, no hidden costs
- Self-help service, not a law firm
One of the most common alimony questions is whether you were married 'long enough' to get it. There's no single magic number, but the length of your marriage is one of the biggest factors.
No hard cutoff, but longer marriages matter more
No law says you must be married X years to qualify. That said, courts are far more likely to order alimony after a long marriage than a short one, and short marriages often result in no support at all.
Short, medium, and long marriages
Many states loosely treat marriages under about 10 years as short-term, where support (if any) tends to be brief. Longer marriages, especially 20 years or more, are more likely to involve longer or, occasionally, indefinite support, particularly where one spouse gave up a career.
It's about need and ability, not just years
Length of marriage is only part of the picture. Courts also weigh each spouse's income and earning ability, the standard of living during the marriage, and each person's age and health. Two spouses who both earn well may see no alimony regardless of how long they were married.
If your situation is amicable, you can agree on alimony (including none) on your own terms and write it into your settlement, avoiding a fight over it entirely.
