How Spousal Support is Calculated in Los Angeles County

Spousal support (formerly known as alimony) is designed to ensure that the lower-earning spouse can maintain a standard of living similar to what was established during the marriage.

Temporary vs. Permanent Support

Temporary Support is paid while the divorce is pending. In Santa Clarita courts, this is usually calculated using a computer program (like DissoMaster) based purely on income inputs.

Permanent (Long-Term) Support is decided at the end of the case. Surprisingly, the judge is not allowed to use the computer formula for this. Instead, they must weigh the "Family Code 4320 Factors," which include:

• The length of the marriage.
• The age and health of both parties.
• The marketable skills of the supported party.
• Domestic violence history.
• The tax consequences to each party.

The "10-Year Rule"

In California, a marriage of 10 years or more is considered of "long duration." This significantly impacts spousal support. For marriages under 10 years, support is typically set for half the length of the marriage. For marriages over 10 years, the court retains jurisdiction indefinitely, meaning support could potentially last until retirement or remarriage.