How to Calculate Alimony in California

Alimony, often called spousal support, is a court-ordered monthly payment from one divorced spouse to the other. It’s meant to balance the financial consequences of divorce.

Many people get upset when they’ve been ordered to pay spousal support payments, but if you understand how to calculate alimony in California, you can make an effective case for why you should receive more or pay less, depending on your situation.

Example Case in Which Spousal Support Could Be Ordered

To give you a better understanding of when spousal support would be ordered, let’s take a look at an example case:

Sarah and Joseph both work full-time jobs, and they both contribute to the family. After much discussion, it’s decided that Joseph will stay home to care for a new baby because Sarah has better health insurance at work. Joseph stays home for four years with the child, losing valuable work experience.

He and Sarah decide to divorce because of irreconcilable differences. The court orders Sarah to pay Joseph spousal support until he finds stable, full-time employment to support himself.

Calculating Alimony in California

The timeline for how long spousal support must be paid will vary, depending on a number of factors. The following is a list of what courts consider when calculating spousal support in California:

• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse’s ability to work, including physical and mental limitations
• The age and health of each party
• Whether there are children involved
• Education opportunities afforded to each spouse
• Domestic violence or substance abuse history
• How each party contributed to the marriage
• The roles of each party within the marriage
• How long it will take for the supported spouse to provide for himself or herself
• Whether one spouse sacrificed more for the marriage than the other

The above factors can all play a part in calculating alimony in California. For help negotiating spousal support payments, get in touch with a qualified lawyer.

Call a Rancho Cucamonga Divorce Lawyer

Understanding how to calculate alimony in California is easy if you sit down with a Rancho Cucamonga divorce attorney. Our firm will protect your interests and work to ensure spousal support payments are fair for both parties, whether you are the supported spouse or the spouse being ordered to pay.

To contact the Law Office of Laurence J. Brock, give us a call at 909-466-7661 or fill out the online contact form at the bottom of this page.