Spousal Support (Alimony or Maintenance) in Kansas
n Kansas, spousal support is called maintenance. Many couples resolve maintenance through negotiation or mediation and include it in their final paperwork. If litigated, the court decides the amount, duration, and structure using statutory factors.
Is there a formula in Kansas?
There is no official statewide maintenance formula in Kansas. Courts consider need and ability to pay, the marital standard of living, length of marriage, ages/health, earning capacity, and how long it should reasonably take for a spouse to become self-supporting.
A quick way to estimate temporary support (negotiation tool)
Temporary estimate = 40% of the higher earner’s net monthly income − 50% of the lower earner’s net monthly income.
This is not Kansas law, just a starting point for talks. Example: If one spouse’s net is $7,200 and the other’s is $3,000, 40% of $7,200 ($2,880) − 50% of $3,000 ($1,500) suggests $1,380/month. Adjust for health-insurance shifts, childcare, major debt, or seasonal income.
Duration and limits unique to Kansas
Courts often set maintenance for a defined term. By statute, maintenance orders generally may not exceed 121 months (just over 10 years), but a party can seek an extension before the term ends, or parties can contract for different terms in a settlement. Maintenance may be modifiable unless the agreement makes it non-modifiable.
Types and structures
Pendente lite (temporary) maintenance stabilizes budgets during the case. Rehabilitative/transitional maintenance supports education, training, or ramp-up to self-support. Longer-term by agreement can fit longer marriages or unique needs. A lump-sum/buyout can trade monthly payments for a one-time amount or property/account offsets.
What maintenance covers (and doesn’t)
Maintenance helps with the transition from one household to two and aims to maintain reasonable stability while finances reset. It is not a punishment and does not replace child support, which is calculated separately.
Ways to structure payments
Use monthly payments with step-downs tied to milestones (training completion, new role), a lump-sum buyout, asset offsets, or targeted payments (COBRA, tuition, rent). Many couples secure maintenance with term life insurance naming the recipient as beneficiary for the support term.
How Hello Divorce can help
Hello Divorce can prepare all your Kansas divorce forms for you with our divorce plans—and we can help you model scenarios and negotiate maintenance with our mediators and financial pros.
FAQs
Does Kansas use a set maintenance formula?
No. Kansas has no mandated formula; judges weigh factors like need, ability to pay, and length of marriage.
How long can maintenance last in Kansas?
Courts commonly set a defined term; by statute, orders generally may not exceed 121 months, though parties can seek extension before expiration or contract for different terms.
Can maintenance be modified later?
Often yes—if your order allows it and there is a material change in circumstances. Parties can also agree to make maintenance non-modifiable.
