Alimony · Minnesota · Caps or time limits
Alimony in Minnesota
Minnesota courts may award spousal maintenance when the requesting spouse lacks enough property or cannot adequately support themselves, setting amount and length from eight listed factors without regard to marital misconduct. Since August 1, 2024 the statute sets rebuttable presumptions on duration tied to the length of the marriage.[1]
Key facts: maintenance in Minnesota
| How the law sets it | Caps or time limits[1] |
|---|---|
| Key rule | Under 5 years: presumed no maintenance[1] |
| Law last checked | October 26, 2026 |
The key limit
Under 5 years: presumed no maintenance[1]
Minnesota law sets limits but no formula for the amount, so there's nothing to calculate: the court decides within them.
From the official text
What Minnesota law says about maintenance
Plain-English summaries of Minnesota’s statute and court rules as of the date shown on each, with the quoted text. Not legal advice: laws change and courts apply them case by case.
The statute
Minn. Stat. § 518.552
The main maintenance statute: the court weighs 8 listed factors.[1]
Minn. Stat. § 518.552 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The maintenance order shall be in amounts and for periods of time, either transitional or indefinite, as the court deems just, without regard to marital misconduct, and after considering all relevant factors including:”
How long it lasts
Under 5 years: presumed no maintenance
When the marriage lasted less than five years, it is rebuttably presumed that no maintenance should be awarded.[1]
Minn. Stat. § 518.552 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“when the length of the marriage is less than five years, it is rebuttably presumed that no maintenance should be awarded;”
How long it lasts
5 to 20 years: transitional, up to half the marriage
For marriages of at least 5 but under 20 years, transitional maintenance lasting no longer than half the marriage is presumed if the grounds for maintenance are met.[1]
Minn. Stat. § 518.552 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“when the length of the marriage is at least five years and less than 20 years, it is rebuttably presumed that transitional maintenance should be awarded with a duration of no longer than one-half the length of the marriage if the factors set forth in subdivision 1 support an award of maintenance;”
How long it lasts
20+ years: presumed indefinite
For marriages of 20 years or more, indefinite maintenance is presumed if the grounds for maintenance are met.[1]
Minn. Stat. § 518.552 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“when the length of the marriage is 20 years or more, it is rebuttably presumed that indefinite maintenance should be awarded if the factors set forth in subdivision 1 support an award of maintenance.”
When it ends
Ends at death or the recipient’s remarriage
Unless agreed in writing or stated in the decree, future maintenance ends on either party’s death or the recipient’s remarriage.[1]
Minn. Stat. § 518.552 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly provided in the decree, the obligation to pay future maintenance is terminated upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the party receiving maintenance.”
Divorce in Minnesota: waiting period, residency and property rules →
Questions about alimony in Minnesota
Is there an alimony calculator for Minnesota?
No. Minnesota law doesn't set alimony by formula: minnesota courts may award spousal maintenance when the requesting spouse lacks enough property or cannot adequately support themselves, setting amount and length from eight listed factors without regard to marital misconduct. Since August 1, 2024 the statute sets rebuttable presumptions on duration tied to the length of the marriage. — Minn. Stat. § 518.552[1]
How long does alimony last in Minnesota?
When the marriage lasted less than five years, it is rebuttably presumed that no maintenance should be awarded. — Minn. Stat. § 518.552[1]
When does alimony end in Minnesota?
Unless agreed in writing or stated in the decree, future maintenance ends on either party’s death or the recipient’s remarriage. — Minn. Stat. § 518.552[1]
States with an alimony formula
Not legal advice. MediationList is a directory of court-listed mediators, not a law firm, and doesn’t endorse any mediator. Summaries follow the official text as of the date checked; courts apply it case by case.
Sources
Minnesota’s statute and court rules, read on the official site, with the date we checked each.