An Updated Guide to Spousal Maintenance in MN

Spousal maintenance, commonly referred to as alimony, is one of the key aspects of a divorce in Minnesota. It’s not automatically granted. As our legal team notes, spousal maintenance is not awarded in every case—only when the legal standards are clearly met.

When Is Spousal Maintenance Awarded?

Spousal maintenance is considered when a spouse “lacks sufficient property to provide for reasonable needs” or “is unable to provide adequate self-support through appropriate employment.”

“The court prioritizes financial needs–it is more about needs and ability to meet those needs than about lifestyle alone,” says Brad Palmer, attorney and partner at Johnson/Turner.

How Is Spousal Maintenance Calculated?

Minnesota does not use a fixed formula to calculate spousal maintenance. Each case is judged individually. According to Erin Turner, attorney and co-owner, “the court weighs a variety of factors:

The length of the marriage
The financial resources of each spouse
The standard of living established during the marriage
The age, physical condition, and employability of the spouse requesting support”

The court has broad discretion in determining both the amount and the duration of maintenance. That means no two outcomes are exactly alike—and why strategic legal representation is essential.

Types of Spousal Maintenance

There are three main types of spousal maintenance:

Temporary maintenance: An interim agreement while the divorce case is pending.
Transitional maintenance: A short-term agreement that “lasts no longer than half the length of the marriage” before a new agreement is reached or support ends.
Indefinite maintenance: Ongoing support that continues unless there is a major change in the obligor’s circumstances.

Length of marriage is the single most important factor in determining duration. Brad tells us that according to MN Statute 518.552:

Marriages under 5 years typically do not result in maintenance.
Marriages of 5–20 years may be awarded transitional maintenance.
Marriages of 20+ years may be awarded indefinite maintenance.

As he puts it, “indefinite maintenance does not necessarily mean forever, but it reflects the court’s expectation of continued need unless circumstances change, financial or otherwise.”

Modifying or Ending Maintenance

Spousal maintenance can be adjusted over time. Either party can request a change based on significant life events, and Erin explains how “remarriage of the recipient almost always terminates spousal maintenance. Similarly, major changes in health, employment, or income can justify modifications.”

When the Opposing Party Won’t Budge

What happens if your spouse refuses to consider spousal maintenance? This is more common than you might think—but it’s not a dead end. “If the maintenance is the issue an opposing party is hung up on, attorneys will use that resistance to leverage some other aspect of the divorce,” Erin notes. For instance, if a spouse refuses to pay maintenance, they may be required to concede more in the property division. At Johnson/Turner, we understand that even hardline refusals can be turned into opportunities: “It’s a negotiation, and even refusals can be negotiated with!”

What to Expect with Johnson/Turner

Life coach Matt Tuttle understands the emotional weight of assessing spousal maintenance: “It’s not just about numbers. For many clients, it’s about security, dignity, and fairness.”

Luckily, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

At Johnson/Turner, we: