This calculator provides only an estimate of potential spousal support (alimony) amounts in California. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Actual spousal support awards may vary significantly based on additional factors, local guidelines, and the discretion of the court.
How Much Is Alimony in California?
In California, average alimony (spousal support) payments vary widely based on individual circumstances, but typical ranges are approximately $1,500-3,000 monthly for shorter marriages (under 10 years), $2,500-5,000 for mid-length marriages (10-20 years), and $3,000-7,000+ for long-term marriages (over 20 years).
How To Calculate Spousal Support in California
Alimony is usually figured out by taking about a third of what the higher-earning spouse makes and subtracting about a quarter of what the lower-earning spouse makes. How long someone has to pay depends on how long they were married – for short marriages, payments might last half as long as the marriage did, but for marriages that lasted over 20 years, payments might continue indefinitely.
Factors in the California Spousal Support Formula
Spouse Yearly Gross Income is the total amount of money a person earns in a year before taxes are taken out. If one spouse earns a lot more than the other, they might have to pay more alimony to help support the lower-earning spouse.
Spouse Income Tax Filing Status is the way a person files their taxes (like single, head of household, etc.). This affects how much money they keep after taxes, which can change how much alimony they can afford to pay or may need to receive.
Is First Spouse Primarily Responsible for Own Living Expenses is a question that checks if someone is mostly paying their own bills or if someone else (like a new partner) is helping them. If they get help with expenses, they might need less alimony.
Spouse Number of Dependents is the number of people (usually children) a spouse financially supports. Having more dependents means more expenses, which can affect how much alimony they can pay or how much support they might need.
Spouse Yearly Child Support & Related Expenses Paid is the amount of money a spouse is already paying for child support and related costs. This reduces the money they have available for alimony, and the court takes that into account.
Length of Marriage is how long the couple was married. This plays a big role in alimony decisions. Longer marriages usually mean longer support periods. For example:
- A short marriage (under 5 years) is likely to have a short support period.
- A medium-length marriage (5–10 years) is likely to have support for about half the marriage.
- A long marriage (10–20 years) is likely to have a longer support period.
- A very long marriage (over 20 years) is likely to result in long-term or even permanent support.