Alimony is a legal obligation of one party (usually the higher-earning spouse) to support the other spouse after separation or divorce. In Israel, alimony calculation is based on several factors, with income being one of the most decisive. A deep understanding of the relationship between salary, income, and the alimony amount is essential for anyone going through this legal process.

In recent years, Israeli courts have dealt with great sensitivity to issues of hidden income, future income, and income from sources other than employed work. This creates a complex situation requiring in-depth and professional legal consultation.

Definition of Income for Alimony Calculation Purposes

In Israeli family law, income is not limited to monthly salary from employment. Income includes:

• Salary from employment — including transportation allowances, bonuses, and various supplements
• Income from self-employment — profit from a private business, law offices, clinics, and more
• Income from investments — dividends, interest, rent from an apartment or property
• Income from assets — capital gains, sale of land or apartment
• Allowances and benefits — as determined by court order
• Potential income — if the defendant is capable of earning more but chooses not to

This distinction is highly important, as it directly affects the alimony amount imposed on you or that you will receive. An experienced family law attorney can assist you in comprehensive documentation of all your income sources and those of the other party.

Calculation Method in Israel

In Israel, alimony calculation is generally performed according to a formula established by the legal directive of the Supreme Court. The formula weighs the income of both parties, the number of children (if child support is involved), cost of living, and more. Generally, the higher the income, the higher the alimony amount — but not in a linear manner.

For example, if you earn a monthly salary of 8,000 NIS, the alimony amount may fall within a certain range. If your income rises to 15,000 NIS, the alimony will not necessarily double, but will be determined in accordance with the legal formula and additional factors.

Additional Factors Affecting the Calculation

• Number of children — child support varies according to the number of children requiring support
• Cost of living for alimony — the standard of living the child or spouse was accustomed to
• Income of both parties — the comparison between incomes affects the distribution of the burden
• Custody and visitation — if the child lives with one parent part-time, this affects the alimony calculation
• Special expenses — medical treatments, special education, social activities
• Age of children — children of different ages may require different amounts

All of these are factors that the court considers when determining the alimony amount. An experienced family law attorney can present your case in a way that reflects all relevant factors.

Below is a table presenting various income scenarios and their impact on the estimated child support amount. It is important to note that these are estimates only, and the actual calculation depends on many additional factors:

Important Note: This table presents estimates only based on general data. The actual calculation varies according to the specific circumstances of each case, court decisions in your jurisdiction, legislative changes, and additional parameters. An experienced attorney can provide a more accurate assessment after reviewing all relevant documents.

What is Hidden Income?

Hidden income is income that has not been properly reported to the tax authorities or presented in legal proceedings. This may include undeclared income, cash-in-hand work, unreported dividends, or income from unregistered side businesses. Israeli courts treat allegations of hidden income seriously, as they directly affect one party's ability to pay.

If you suspect the other party is concealing income, an attorney can file a request for financial investigation, demand full bank statements, multiple tax reports, and even contact the tax authorities. This is a complex process that requires deep legal and accounting knowledge.

Imputed Income — When Someone Chooses Not to Earn

In some cases, a court may determine that a person has the capacity to earn more but chooses not to do so. This can occur when someone changes jobs to lower-paying work or decides to retire, claiming inability to work. The court may impose alimony based on imputed income, not actual income. This is called the "doctrine of imputed income".

This argument requires strong evidence and analysis of the labor market, the defendant's skills, and their income history. An experienced attorney can argue this matter persuasively for or against you.