Alimony in California Long-Term Marriages
The length of a marriage can affect alimony’s amount and duration. Here’s what you need to know about spousal support after a long-term marriage in California.
In California, judges usually set no expiration date for spousal support ordered after a long-term marriage or a marriage that lasted longer than 10 years. Alimony typically comprises between 30-50% of a paying spouse’s gross income.
Spousal Support in Long-Term vs. Short-Term Marriages
Under California law, the amount and duration of alimony depend on the length of the marriage, among other factors. Judges classify short-term marriages as marriages that last less than 10 years, and long-term marriages as longer than 10 years.
If the need for support exists after a short-term marriage, a judge may order alimony for half the marriage’s duration. This means that if a marriage lasted 8 years, spousal support may only be ordered for 4 years.
In long-term marriages, however, spousal support is paid for as long as the receiving party needs financial support. Contrary to short-term marriages, alimony after long-term marriages typically has no expiration date; the supported party will receive financial support for as long as he or she needs.
How Long Does Alimony Last After a Long-Term Marriage
Spousal support after a long-term marriage may end or be modified if there is a significant “change in circumstances” in either the supported or supporting spouse’s financial situation. If there is no set termination date on your spousal support order, alimony can only be modified or ended if there has been a “change in circumstances since the retroactive court order was made.
After a long-term marriage, a California judge may modify or terminate spousal support if:
- The supporting spouse lost their job or had their wages reduced
- The supporting spouse is not able to work due to illness or disability
- The supported spouse has remarried or lives with a nonmarital partner
- The supported spouse’s need for financial support is diminished
There are many other factors that can be used as grounds to modify or terminate spousal support after a long-term marriage. However, courts mainly consider the supported spouse’s need for support and the supporting spouse’s ability to pay.
How Does the Length of Marriage Effect Spousal Support in California?
However, the marriage’s duration does not have an effect on the amount of alimony to be paid. Length of marriage generally only affects how long alimony payments will last, but not how much spousal support payments will be. Therefore, there is no statistical difference between the monetary size of alimony payments made after short-term vs. long-term marriages. The amount of spousal support is mainly determined by the lesser-earning spouse’s need for support and the supporting spouse’s ability to pay.
FAQs About Alimony After Marriage in California
How much alimony is awarded in divorce after 2 years of marriage in California?
Under California law, judges generally award spousal support for half of the short-term marriage’s duration. That means that if you were married for 2 years and got a divorce, the judge will likely only grant alimony for one year.
How much alimony is granted after 3 years of marriage in California?
Because California judges consider a marriage of 3 years to be “short-term”, you’ll likely receive alimony for half of the marriage’s length, or one and a half years. Each spouse’s financial situation when calculating alimony for a divorce after 3 years of marriage.
How much spousal support can be awarded after 5 years of marriage in California?
In California, under 10 years of marriage is considered a short-term marriage. Judges typically order spousal support for half of a short-term marriage’s duration. If you’ve been married for 5 years, you’ll probably receive alimony for about two and a half years.
How much alimony is awarded after 20 years of marriage in California?
After 20 years of marriage, a California judge will likely not set an expiration date on spousal support. The supported spouse will receive financial support for as long as he or she needs. Alimony payments typically comprise 30-50% of the paying spouse’s gross income.
What is the average alimony payment for 25 years of marriage?
In California, there is typically no set date for alimony to be terminated after 25 years of marriage. The average alimony payment for 25 years of marriage comprises 30-50% of the paying spouse’s income. Exactly how much alimony will be paid depends on the paying spouse’s income.
When can a judge terminate spousal support for a “long term” marriage in California?
Under California law, a judge can modify or end spousal support for a “long-term” marriage if there has been a “significant change in circumstances” since the retroactive court order. Alimony may end after a long-term marriage when the supported or supporting spouse’s financial situation changes.
Can someone get long term spousal support for a short term marriage in California?
Spouses typically receive spousal support for only half the duration of their short-term marriage. This means that if you were married for less than 10 years, it’s unlikely that you’ll receive alimony for more than half of your marriage’s duration.
Can you be awarded the marital house and still receive spousal support in a long term marriage?
Just because a spouse is awarded the marital home in a divorce does not mean they are ineligible for spousal support. If you were in a long-term marriage (more than 10 years), you can be awarded both the marital home and alimony indefinitely.
Free Consultation With a Spousal Support Attorney in California
If you need to protect your spousal support rights after a long-term marriage in California, contact us. We’ll get you in touch with the most qualified lawyer for your unique legal matter. Get your free consultation with one of our Spousal Support Attorneys in California today!