N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24 authorizes support when a spouse lacks sufficient income and property for reasonable needs and cannot be adequately self-supporting through appropriate employment considering marital standard of living, or is custodian of a child whose circumstances make outside employment inappropriate, then requires consideration of statutory factors for amount and duration.
Alimony Calculator - North Dakota
Reviewed by TheLegalCalc Editorial Team | Last updated: April 2026
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor | IRS | State Bar Associations
Estimate spousal support payments in North Dakota based on income difference and length of marriage. Free North Dakota alimony calculator.
Content last reviewed: April 2026
Legal data verified: March 2026•Sources: DOL | NCSL | State Courts•Next review: January 2027
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How the North Dakota Alimony calculator works
North Dakota spousal support is governed primarily by N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24, which authorizes support when a spouse lacks sufficient income and property to provide for reasonable needs and i...
North Dakota alimony laws: what you need to know
Cass County (Fargo) family dockets see high spousal support volume, with judges expecting updated affidavits tied to N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24 factors. Burleigh County Bismarck state-government and energy-sector pay cycles complicate annualization—attach HR step charts.
Williams County Williston Bakken oilfield overtime and layoff waves generate modification motions—attach WARN notices. Grand Forks County UND-affiliated stipends may be partially excludable—attach program letters before imputation.
Ward County Minot Air Force Base BAH changes after PCS moves require updated LES attachments. Morton County Mandan refinery and logistics shift premiums should attach employer policy PDFs.
Common mistakes include skipping § 14-05-24 threshold analysis, inconsistent gross income between child support and spousal support, and stale affidavits after commodity downturns.
Mediation in Fargo and Bismarck often bundles support with ND PERS or private QDRO drafts—align benefit commencement with support end dates. Richland County Wahpeton Minnesota-border commuters should clarify Minnesota versus North Dakota withholding.
Stark County Dickinson oilfield service bonuses may be non-recurring—attach employer letters. McLean County Washburn agricultural cooperative dividends may be lumpy—attach cooperative histories.
Traill County Mayville-Portland sugar beet and ag processing wages fluctuate seasonally—document employer HR letters. Ramsey County Devils Lake tribal-affiliated employment may require careful income characterization with tribal-law guidance.
Mercer County Beulah coal and energy wages swing with dispatch—use twenty-four-month W-2 charts. Nelson County Lakota rural healthcare on-call pay should be annualized across rotation schedules.
Pembina County Cavalier Canadian-border nurses should attach Manitoba withholding summaries when modeling net pay. Barnes County Valley City rail logistics overtime peaks each fourth quarter—annualize rather than using November pay stubs alone.
McKenzie County Watford City man-camp stipends and per diems should be separated from taxable wage bases when modeling income. Grand Forks County East Grand Forks Minnesota-border logistics wages should attach Minnesota wage statements when arguing net ability to pay.
Slope County Amidon Bakken rural road dust control and trucking per diems may spike seasonally—annualize with employer dispatch letters before imputation hearings under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24.
Mountrail County Stanley oilfield water-transfer and logistics wages fluctuate with pad timing—use twenty-four-month W-2 charts. Bottineau County Lake Metigoshe tourism shoulder seasons depress winter hospitality hours—use trailing-twelve-month employer schedules tied to § 14-05-24 standard-of-living factors.
Logan County Napoleon agricultural equipment dealer commissions may be non-recurring—attach employer letters when arguing changed circumstances. Dickey County Ellendale rural healthcare travel-nurse contracts complicate earning-capacity arguments—attach on-call rotation printouts before hearings.
Steele County Finley sugar beet cooperative dividends may be lumpy—attach cooperative histories when modeling resources under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24.
Frequently asked questions
No. Courts must first satisfy § 14-05-24 threshold findings, then weigh statutory factors. Marriage length influences but does not replace the statutory analysis.
Modification generally requires proof of a substantial change in circumstances, subject to agreement language and North Dakota case law. File promptly with updated financial documentation.
No. North Dakota child support uses guideline worksheets, while spousal support under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24 uses threshold findings and discretionary factors rather than mirroring child support percentages.
Because threshold findings examine sufficient income and property including marital property awarded, equitable distribution directly affects eligibility and the factor analysis.
Courts examine ability to provide adequate self-support under § 14-05-24; imputation arguments require vocational and labor-market evidence when voluntary underemployment is alleged.
Courts may award temporary support while a case proceeds under North Dakota procedural rules, but final awards must comply with N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24.
Federal tax rules generally control; many post-TCJA orders are non-deductible and non-taxable. Coordinate tax clauses with a tax professional.
Legal Disclaimer: The results provided by TheLegalCalc are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and change frequently. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state before making legal decisions.
State-specific legal disclaimer
This North Dakota spousal support estimate is informational only. N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24 and North Dakota family practice require individualized findings. Consult a North Dakota family lawyer before filing or modifying support.
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