Alimony · Missouri · Factors only
Alimony in Missouri
A Missouri court may order maintenance only if the spouse seeking it lacks enough property to meet reasonable needs and cannot support themselves through appropriate employment (or is caring for a child who needs them at home). The amount and length are what the court finds just after weighing statutory factors; no formula or cap is set.[1]
Key facts: maintenance in Missouri
| How the law sets it | Factors only[1] |
|---|---|
| Key rule | Court weighs 10 listed factors[1] |
| Law last checked | October 26, 2026 |
How it's decided
Court weighs 10 listed factors[1]
Missouri law sets no formula, cap or time limit for alimony, so there's nothing to calculate: the court weighs the factors below.
From the official text
What Missouri law says about maintenance
Plain-English summaries of Missouri’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
RSMo § 452.335
The main maintenance statute: the court weighs 10 listed factors.[1]
RSMo § 452.335 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The maintenance order shall be in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just, and after considering all relevant factors including:”
When it applies
Lacks property for reasonable needs and can’t self-support
Maintenance requires findings that the requesting spouse lacks sufficient property for reasonable needs and is unable to support themselves through appropriate employment, or is the custodian of a child whose circumstances make staying home appropriate.[1]
RSMo § 452.335.1 · checked October 26, 2026
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“(1) Lacks sufficient property, including marital property apportioned to him, to provide for his reasonable needs; and”
Changing an order
Order must say if modifiable
The order must state whether it can be modified; a modifiable order can be changed on a substantial and continuing change of circumstances.[1]
RSMo § 452.335.3 · checked October 26, 2026
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“The maintenance order shall state if it is modifiable or nonmodifiable.”
When it ends
Ends on death or the recipient’s remarriage
Unless agreed in writing or stated in the judgment, future statutory maintenance ends when either party dies or the recipient remarries.[2]
RSMo § 452.370.3 · checked October 26, 2026
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“Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly provided in the judgment, the obligation to pay future statutory maintenance is terminated upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the party receiving maintenance.”
Divorce in Missouri: waiting period, residency and property rules →
Questions about alimony in Missouri
Is there an alimony calculator for Missouri?
No. Missouri law doesn't set alimony by formula: a Missouri court may order maintenance only if the spouse seeking it lacks enough property to meet reasonable needs and cannot support themselves through appropriate employment (or is caring for a child who needs them at home). The amount and length are what the court finds just after weighing statutory factors; no formula or cap is set. — RSMo § 452.335[1]
When does alimony end in Missouri?
Unless agreed in writing or stated in the judgment, future statutory maintenance ends when either party dies or the recipient remarries. — RSMo § 452.370.3[2]
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
Missouri’s statute and court rules, read on the official site, with the date we checked each.