2025 Arizona Spousal Maintenance Guideline Revisions: What’s Changing and What Isn’t

Divorce often brings uncertainty, especially when determining spousal maintenance- or alimony- one of the most significant financial considerations for separating couples. With the Arizona Supreme Court enacting sweeping changes to the Spousal Maintenance Guidelines effective September 1, 2025, both individuals and practitioners alike need to understand how these updates may impact current and future cases. 

Starting this September, every spousal maintenance order- whether it’s a new order or a modification- will be evaluated under these revised guidelines unless a default or separate agreement is in place. The updates are intended not only to clarify and modernize how support is determined, but to create a more predictable and fair experience for families moving through the Arizona legal system- and Simon Law Group is here to help. 

Eligibility and Agreements 

A key change involves how courts establish eligibility for spousal maintenance. Now, judges are specifically required to make a formal finding of eligibility before applying any guideline or using the calculator.

• Eligibility must be determined through judicial findings, not just by using the calculator. 

• Courts will only apply the guidelines once eligibility is established under the law. 

• Parties can still agree to arrangements outside the guidelines, provided: 

• Agreements are in writing or on the record, 

• Both parties acknowledge they understand the guidelines and calculator, 

• Arrangements are voluntary and without coercion. 

Income and Mortgage Principal 

The revisions also update the approach courts take when assessing income. Highlights include: 

• Overtime pay: Now averaged over the prior three years if earned regularly during the marriage. 

• Income-producing property: No more blanket presumption of a 4% return; courts assess what is fair case by case. 

• Retirement assets: Income isn't counted until the account holder reaches 59½; Social Security income is only attributed at full retirement age. 

• Family size: Defined by the date the divorce petition is served, for clarity. 

• Mortgage principal: Homeowners’ mortgage principal payments are no longer part of the calculation, often resulting in lower maintenance ranges for those with significant mortgages. 

Temporary Orders and Community Expenses 

Temporary orders- those that apply while a divorce is still pending- are also subject to an updated process: 

• Courts can now use a spouse’s current employment income, even if they've worked less than 24 months in that role. 

• The previous rule required continuous employment for over 24 months to attribute income. 

• Courts must now allocate community expenses during temporary orders and can revise these allocations at the final hearing. 

• Judges are encouraged to ensure temporary orders remain within guideline duration ranges, preventing gaps in support before the divorce is finalized. 

Duration Updates 

One of the most notable changes arrives for long-term marriages: in cases lasting sixteen years or more- but not subject to what’s known as the “Rule of 65”- the maximum duration for spousal maintenance has been extended. 

• The maximum duration increases from 8 years to 12 years. 

• If 50% of the marriage length is greater than 12 years, that figure will apply instead. 

• Applies only to marriages of 16 years (192 months) or more, not covered by the Rule of 65. 

This adjustment better recognizes the greater dependency that often develops in extended marriages. 

High-Income Adjustments 

High-income households will see meaningful modifications as well. The “high-income adjustment,” which historically lifted support awards for households above a certain income, now has a higher threshold and a lower cap. 

• The adjustment now applies to combined family incomes above $175,000 per year (previously $100,000). 

• The maximum possible increase in support is reduced from 80% to 70%. 

• These changes generally mean lower spousal maintenance obligations for higher earners under the new guidelines. 

Real-World Impact and Moving Forward 

Early data collected during the first year’s review of the previous guidelines, including nearly 500 cases- most from Maricopa County- underscore the real-world impact of such changes. Durations for final support orders varied widely, from as little as four months to as long as forty-two years. The average awarded duration was forty-four months, with a median of twenty-four. Notably, awards for short- and medium-length marriages have tended to be well within the guideline suggestions. Cases involving the “Rule of 65”- where the length of the marriage and the spouse’s age add up to at least 65- accounted for almost a third of these decisions, typically resulting in longer durations.

Taken together, these updates do more than tinker around the edges. They mark a clear evolution in Arizona’s approach to spousal maintenance, especially for families with higher incomes, long-term relationships, or significant mortgage commitments. The intent is greater clarity, fairness, and adaptability, ensuring that the calculations courts use are genuinely relevant to today’s families and circumstances. 

Guidance from Simon Law 

As with any substantial legal reform, those going through divorce or considering a change to an existing spousal maintenance order should seek knowledgeable, current advice. Professional guidance is crucial to navigating the updates and understanding how the new guidelines may affect your rights, obligations, or support expectations. 

If you have questions or concerns about spousal maintenance under Arizona’s 2025 guidelines, Simon Law Group is ready to help you confidently move forward.