Alimony · North Dakota · Caps or time limits
Alimony in North Dakota
North Dakota does not allow permanent spousal support; a court may order support for a limited time if the recipient cannot meet reasonable needs and the payer can pay without undue hardship, after weighing eight statutory factors. The statute caps duration at a percentage of the marriage’s length (up to 50% to 80% for marriages under 20 years) unless the court makes written findings to deviate.[1]
Key facts: spousal support in North Dakota
| How the law sets it | Caps or time limits[1] |
|---|---|
| Key rule | Up to 50% / 60% / 70% / 80% of the marriage’s length (under 5 / 5–10 / 10–15 / 15–20 years)[1] |
| Law last checked | October 26, 2026 |
The key limit
Up to 50% / 60% / 70% / 80% of the marriage’s length (under 5 / 5–10 / 10–15 / 15–20 years)[1]
North Dakota 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 North Dakota law says about spousal support
Plain-English summaries of North Dakota’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
N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1
The main spousal support statute: the court weighs 8 listed factors.[1]
N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The court may not award permanent spousal support. Upon consideration of the provisions of this section, the court may require one party to pay spousal support to the other party for a limited period of time upon expressly finding:”
How long it lasts
Up to 50% / 60% / 70% / 80% of the marriage’s length (under 5 / 5–10 / 10–15 / 15–20 years)
Unless the court makes written findings that a longer period is necessary, support ends after a share of the marriage’s length in months: up to 50% for marriages under 5 years, 60% for 5–10 years, 70% for 10–15 years and 80% for 15–20 years; for 20 years or more, the parties agree or the court sets a limited time.[1]
N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1(5) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“Except upon written findings by the court which require a deviation beyond the time limits of this section is necessary, spousal support terminates upon the following:”
When it applies
No permanent support; limited period only
Permanent spousal support is not allowed; any award must be for a limited period and requires findings of need and ability to pay.[1]
N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1(2) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The court may not award permanent spousal support.”
When it ends
Ends on remarriage or death; cohabitation 1+ year; presumed at payer’s full retirement age
Unless agreed otherwise in writing, support ends on the recipient’s remarriage or death, must be terminated after a year or more of marriage-like cohabitation, and is presumed to end when the payer reaches full Social Security retirement age.[1]
N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1(9)–(11) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“There is a rebuttable presumption that spousal support terminates upon the payor's attaining full retirement age for social security purposes.”
Changing an order
Rehabilitative and general-term modifiable; lump sum not
Rehabilitative and general term support can be modified for a material change in circumstances, but lump sum support cannot be modified once judgment is filed.[1]
N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1(6)–(7) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“Upon the filing of a judgment, the parties may not seek and the court may not order a modification of lump sum spousal support.”
Divorce in North Dakota: waiting period, residency and property rules →
Questions about alimony in North Dakota
Is there an alimony calculator for North Dakota?
No. North Dakota law doesn't set alimony by formula: north Dakota does not allow permanent spousal support; a court may order support for a limited time if the recipient cannot meet reasonable needs and the payer can pay without undue hardship, after weighing eight statutory factors. The statute caps duration at a percentage of the marriage’s length (up to 50% to 80% for marriages under 20 years) unless the court makes written findings to deviate. — N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1[1]
How long does alimony last in North Dakota?
Unless the court makes written findings that a longer period is necessary, support ends after a share of the marriage’s length in months: up to 50% for marriages under 5 years, 60% for 5–10 years, 70% for 10–15 years and 80% for 15–20 years; for 20 years or more, the parties agree or the court sets a limited time. — N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1(5)[1]
When does alimony end in North Dakota?
Unless agreed otherwise in writing, support ends on the recipient’s remarriage or death, must be terminated after a year or more of marriage-like cohabitation, and is presumed to end when the payer reaches full Social Security retirement age. — N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1(9)–(11)[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
North Dakota’s statute and court rules, read on the official site, with the date we checked each.