Spousal support in California is typically ordered by the court in long-term marriages. There are many issues that are considered by the court when making an award of spousal support. In rare instances, a court may award spousal support be paid in short term marriages.
A judge takes many things into consideration when determining the amount of spousal support that should be ordered. These include:
When a couple separates or divorces, the court may order one spouse to pay the other a certain amount of support money each month. This is called “spousal support.” A spousal support award is not mandatory in dissolution or legal separation proceedings in California. Courts have discretion (within statutory parameters) to deny spousal support altogether or to limit it in an amount and duration that reflects the ability of both parties to provide for their own needs.
Download information on how spousal support is calculated, and applicable Code Sections.
The term of spousal support can be strictly limited, which means that it can be either modifiable or non-modifiable, limited in length of time, have specified conditions for termination, etc. Usually, spousal support is tax deductible for the paying spouse and taxable income for the supported spouse.