How Long Will I Be Paying Spousal Support After My Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on October 14, 2026 in Alimony

As you prepare for the financial impact of your divorce, there’s a good chance that the duration of spousal support (commonly known as alimony or maintenance) will come up. Monthly payments could affect your budget long after your marriage ends. However, spousal support does not always last for the rest of your life.

In Illinois, the length of your marriage plays a major role in how long maintenance lasts. If you are facing a support order in 2026, an Arlington Heights, IL divorce attorney will help you understand what to expect.

Will I Have to Pay Spousal Maintenance After My Illinois Divorce?

Not every Illinois divorce results in a spousal maintenance order. The court first decides whether maintenance is appropriate based on the spouses' financial circumstances.

Under 750 ILCS 5/504 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the court considers each spouse's income and earning ability. The length of the marriage and the standard of living established during it also play a role.

For example, one spouse might have left the workforce to raise children while the other continued building a career. This difference in earning ability could support a maintenance award.

How Long Does Spousal Maintenance Last in Illinois?

Illinois uses a formula to determine the duration of many maintenance awards. The court multiplies the length of the marriage by a percentage set under state law.

The percentage increases for longer marriages. For example:

• A marriage lasting four years has a guideline maintenance duration of about 10 months.
• A marriage lasting 10 years has a guideline maintenance duration of 4.4 years.
• A marriage lasting 15 years has a guideline maintenance duration of 9.6 years.

The court has authority to depart from the guidelines when making the required findings.

The length of the marriage is measured from the wedding date to the date the divorce case was filed. This means the time spent going through the divorce does not increase the marriage length used in the formula.

Can Illinois Spousal Maintenance Last for the Rest of My Life?

For marriages lasting 20 years or longer, Illinois courts have the option to award maintenance for an indefinite term. The court could instead order payments for a period equal to the length of the marriage.

Indefinite maintenance does not mean the amount will never change. The court still considers the financial circumstances of both spouses and whether a later change to the order is allowed.

When Does Spousal Maintenance End Automatically in Illinois?

According to 750 ILCS 5/510, future maintenance payments end upon certain events unless the parties have an approved written agreement providing otherwise.

These events include:

• The death of either former spouse
• The receiving spouse's remarriage
• The receiving spouse living with another person in a resident, continuing conjugal relationship

Cohabitation involves more than simply dating someone or spending nights at a new partner's home. The court looks at the nature of the relationship to decide whether it meets the legal standard.

Remarriage ends the obligation by operation of law on the date of the marriage. In a qualifying cohabitation case, the court determines when the relationship began. That date is relevant because Illinois law provides for reimbursement of maintenance paid after the legal termination date.

Can I Stop Paying Spousal Maintenance in Illinois if I Lose My Job?

Losing your job does not automatically end a spousal maintenance order. However, if your maintenance order allows modification, a substantial change in circumstances provides grounds to ask the court to modify or terminate maintenance. Some divorce agreements make maintenance non-modifiable, meaning you may not be able to change the payments even if you lose your job.

The court considers whether a change in employment was made in good faith. It also looks at changes in each spouse's income since the original order. For example, someone who loses a long-term job because their employer closes could have grounds to request a lower payment. Voluntarily leaving a well-paying position to avoid support presents a different issue.

A request for modification should be supported by financial records showing the change. Pay records or documents about a job loss help explain why the existing payment is no longer appropriate.

Do I Need Court Approval Before I Stop Paying Spousal Maintenance in Illinois?

If you want to reduce or end maintenance because your financial situation has changed, you must seek a court modification. Do not simply stop paying the amount required by your existing order.

The timing of the request is important. Illinois law limits modifications to installments that come due after the other party receives the required notice of the motion. Waiting to file could leave you responsible for payments that the court cannot later reduce.

Automatic termination events are different. Remarriage and qualifying cohabitation have specific rules under Illinois law, but disputes about whether an obligation ended still need to be resolved. Review your divorce judgment before changing payments.

Contact a Rolling Meadows, IL Spousal Support Lawyer

If you are concerned about how long you will have to pay maintenance, the attorneys at Cosley Law Office will help you understand your obligations. We can also help if you need to request a change to an existing support order.

Attorney Donald J. Cosley personally handles every part of your case. When you call with questions, you will not just be passed off to a paralegal. Contact our Arlington Heights, IL divorce attorneys for a free consultation or call 847-253-3100 today.