Divorce ends a marriage, but money can keep people linked after the split. Spousal maintenance (alimony) can provide needed financial support after divorce, but it does not always last forever. Whether you are in a position to pay or receive alimony, knowing when payments usually stop can help you plan and feel more secure as you move forward.
How Colorado guidelines work
Colorado law sets spousal maintenance guidelines for marriages lasting between three and 20 years. The guidelines use the months of marriage and a percentage to recommend how long someone should receive support.
For a three‑year marriage (36 months), the guideline equals about 31% of the marriage length, which is roughly 11 months. The percentage rises as the marriage length grows and reaches 50% at about 12.5 years (150 months).
From 12.5 through 20 years, the guideline stays at 50%, so recommended maintenance equals half the months you were married. For marriages over 20 years, judges may order long‑term or permanent support.
Other common reasons payments stop
While the length of marriage provides a foundation for duration of alimony, there are reasons unrelated to the length of marriage that can end alimony. Common triggers include:
- The receiving spouse remarries
- Either spouse dies
- A court finds a major, lasting change in income or financial needs
- Parties follow a valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that limits or ends support
- The parties agree in writing to change or stop payments
These factors can stop or change payments before the time recommended by state guidelines.
Important considerations to keep in mind
Every divorce comes with its own facts and influencing factors. Judges look at ages, health, job skills, earning ability and how you split finances during the marriage. Those details affect whether a judge follows the guidelines or orders different terms.
Ensuring an alimony order is fair and reflects your needs or ability to pay is crucial, and this includes the amount of time the payments last. You likely already have ideas about what you believe to be fair and reasonable when it comes to alimony. However, knowing what the courts consider and order can help you better set and manage your expectations.