How Long Does Spousal Support Last After Divorce in California?
May 1, 2025
Understanding Spousal Support Duration in California
Spousal support—also known as alimony—is a key issue in many California divorce cases. It’s designed to help a lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living reasonably comparable to what they experienced during the marriage. But one of the most common questions people have is: How long will I have to pay or receive spousal support after divorce?
At Williams, Drexler, & Mand PC, we help Californians navigate these legal questions and advocate for fair, lasting resolutions.
Temporary vs. Long-Term Spousal Support
California courts may award two types of spousal support:
- Temporary Support is paid during the divorce process and ends once the final judgment is entered.
- Long-Term (or “Permanent”) Support begins after the divorce is finalized. Despite its name, it’s rarely truly permanent.
The duration of long-term support is determined by several factors, including the length of the marriage.
General Rule Based on Marriage Length
California Family Code § 4320 guides how courts determine the duration of spousal support. A common rule of thumb is:
- For marriages lasting less than 10 years: Support typically lasts half the length of the marriage. For example, a 6-year marriage might lead to 3 years of support.
- For marriages lasting 10 years or more (known as long-duration marriages): The court may not set a definite end date. This doesn’t mean the support will last forever, but rather that the court retains jurisdiction to modify or end support in the future.
Modifying or Ending Support
Support orders can often be modified or terminated based on a change in circumstances, such as:
- The supported spouse becomes self-sufficient
- The paying spouse retires or loses income
- The supported spouse remarries or cohabits with a new partner
In many cases, courts expect the supported party to become self-supporting within a “reasonable period of time.” Judges may include a “Gavron warning” in the order, which encourages the recipient to work toward financial independence.
Seeking Clarity and Fairness
Because every case is different, determining the duration of spousal support requires a close review of the facts. At Williams, Drexler, & Mand PC, we provide legal guidance tailored to your specific circumstances—whether you're seeking support or are concerned about a long-term payment obligation.
Learn when and how child custody orders can be modified in California. Williams, Drexler, & Mand PC helps parents seek custody changes that reflect their child's best interests.
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Divorce mediation is an alternative to the traditional divorce process where the parties involved meet with a neutral third-party mediator to reach an agreement on the issues in divorce. It is a collaborative and non-adversarial process that helps the parties involved in the divorce arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. Mediation can be an effective way to resolve disputes in a divorce, but it is not a simple process. In some cases, the parties may reach an impasse, a point where they cannot agree on an issue, and the mediation seems to have failed. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for overcoming an impasse in divorce mediation. Try to prevent an impasse before it happens The best way to overcome an impasse is to prevent it from happening in the first place. The parties should start the mediation process with a positive attitude, focusing on the issues that need to be resolved, and approaching them with a willingness to be flexible. Before the mediation starts, the parties should talk about their goals, priorities, and concerns, and try to identify areas of agreement or disagreement. They should also discuss how they will communicate during the mediation and how they will handle disagreements. It is essential to approach the mediation process with an open mind, and a willingness to compromise to reach a solution. Take a breath - separate If the parties are in a heated disagreement, they should take a break and separate for a while. The parties can use this time to reflect on what is essential to them and what they are willing to compromise. It is crucial to remain respectful and take a break before an impasse happens. Put the issue aside for the time being Sometimes taking the issue off the table for a while can help break the deadlock. The parties can focus on other issues that they can easily agree on and return to the disputed issue later. If the parties cannot agree, the mediator can suggest setting aside the issue temporarily and return to it after progress on other issues. Highlight the progress that has been made Agreements made on the issues so far should be highlighted. Parties should be reminded of how much they have agreed on and should use this as momentum to resolve any remaining issues. This can help parties understand that progress has been made, and they can resolve their outstanding issues. Clarify the practical implications of the dispute Parties often get stuck on small details that might not matter in the long run but feel essential to each party. Mediators must help parties understand the implications and consequences of the issues that are causing the impasse. This approach can help the parties gain clarity and work towards a resolution. Consider retaining an issue-specific expert If the issues in the impasse are technical or require a higher level of expertise, retaining an expert could make a difference. Experts can provide more detailed knowledge on a particular topic that can help the parties make informed decisions. An issue-specific expert can help resolve a mediated dispute, especially if the dispute is technical or concerns a specific subject. How can an attorney help? An attorney can represent a party during mediation and understanding the other and their parties’ goals and interests. The attorney can give legal advice and assist in negotiating an agreement. In some situations, the attorney may suggest litigation as an alternative when mediation fails. Mediation is a valuable and effective tool for resolving disputes, but it can be challenging when parties reach an impasse. Parties involved in mediation must approach the process with an open mind to reach an agreement. This blog post has provided some useful tips to overcome a mediation impasse. Parties who cannot resolve their issues can seek assistance from lawyers and issue-specific experts. When parties feel stuck in mediation, taking a break, reflecting on agreements, and collaborating on other less-contentious issues can move the mediation forward. Parties should work towards identifying the underlying interests of the parties and an enduring solution that benefits everyone involved.
Divorces can be an emotional and legal challenge for anyone involved. One of the most contentious parts of a divorce agreement is child custody and visitation rights. While the court determines custody arrangements, visitation rights are an agreement between the divorcing parents. But what happens if one parent stops the other from seeing their children? Do they still have to pay child support and alimony? In this blog post, we'll answer those questions and explore how an attorney can help during this difficult time. Do I Still Pay Alimony If My Ex Won’t Allow Me to See My Kids? The short answer is yes. Alimony payments are separate from child support, and they cannot be reduced or waived unless there's a court order. Even if your ex-spouse stops you from seeing your kids, you still have to fulfill your financial obligations. The court considers alimony as a means for supporting your ex-spouse, not your children. Can I Stop Paying Child Support if My Ex Stops My Visitations? No. Child support payments are not tied to visitation arrangements. It is a legal obligation to pay child support after a court order, and you cannot stop payments even if your ex-spouse denies visitations. Child support is meant to cover the costs of raising a child, including food, clothing, shelter, and medical expenses. Therefore, it is a non-negotiable legal obligation. What Do I Do if My Ex Refuses My Visitation Rights? If your ex-spouse is withholding your visitation rights, it is essential to take legal action. The court can impose sanctions or penalties on your ex-spouse for violating the visitation agreement. It can also modify the visitation agreement to ensure that both parents have access to their children. If you feel that your ex-spouse is putting your children in harm's way, you can seek a restraining order to protect them. How Can an Attorney Help? If your ex-spouse is stopping you from seeing your children, it's crucial to speak with an experienced family law attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and how best to navigate the process. He or she can also negotiate with your ex-spouse's attorney to revise the custody arrangement to ensure you have access to your children. If necessary, an attorney can also help you to take legal action to enforce the visitation agreement. Visitation rights are an essential part of a child custody agreement, and it's essential to do everything possible to maintain them. Even if your ex-spouse is denying your visitation rights, it's important to continue fulfilling your financial obligations. If you're struggling with visitation issues, it's best to speak with a professional family law attorney who can help you navigate the legal system. With their guidance, you'll be able to protect your rights as a parent and ensure the best outcome for your children.
Marriage is an exciting and joyous occasion. However, it is also a legally binding agreement. While most couples don't like to think about the possibility of a divorce, it is crucial to be prepared for all eventualities. This is where a prenuptial agreement comes in handy. A prenup is a legal document that outlines how any assets, debts and property accumulated during the marriage will be split, in case of divorce. Although prenups were previously considered something only for the rich, nowadays, they are becoming increasingly common, even among middle-class Californians. 1. Knowledge and Expertise: An experienced attorney can guide you through the prenuptial agreement process and ensure that your interests are protected. Since an attorney has an in-depth understanding of California’s laws, they can help you design a prenup that is legally sound and enforceable. In addition, an attorney can ensure that you consider all legalities and that your agreement does not violate any applicable laws. 2. Avoid Disputes: By hiring an attorney to write your prenup agreement, you can avoid potential disputes. In many cases, a prenup can become invalidated if it’s not structured correctly or if there were omissions or mistakes. To avoid these issues, it’s essential to hire an attorney who understands the legal nuances and requirements. 3. Customize your Prenup: One of the best things about working with a lawyer is that they can tailor your prenup to meet your specific needs and situation. An attorney can provide recommendations for clauses, taking into account your financial circumstances, as well as non-monetary issues such as future kid’s custody or inheritance rights. 4. Save Money: While it might be tempting to go with an online form, this can be a false economy. Although this might seem to be an affordable option at the outset, a prenup that is not constructed correctly due to a lack of legal expertise and experience can lead to disputes and ultimately divorce costs that can exceed those of creating your prenup with the help of a lawyer. 5. Objective Arbiter: An attorney serves as an objective party and mediator who can help you and your partner negotiate and communicate your goals and expectations. They can help you work through conflicts that may arise during the prenuptial process and ensure that both parties have had the benefit of legal advice before signing off. In California, prenuptial agreements are an important tool for couples to consider before making a lifelong commitment. The state has specific laws and requirements that must be followed if you want your agreement to be legally valid and enforceable. Hiring an attorney to help you prepare a prenuptial agreement is always crucial. They provide you with knowledge, expertise, and legal representation that ensure a fair and equitable agreement that protects both parties. A prenup is an investment in your relationship and can save you from expensive and long-lasting litigation in the future.