Factors Considered In A California Alimony Judgement Standard of Living: Each spouse's needs are evaluated based on the standard of living they maintained during the marriage. Earning Capacity: The judge assesses the ability of each spouse to earn enough to sustain that standard of living.
There is no minimum marriage length to qualify for alimony, but the easier it is for the lower-earning spouse to become self-sufficient, the less support they may receive.
Specifically in California, disqualification might result from several key factors. One such factor is a significant change in the financial status of the recipient spouse, such as acquiring a new job or receiving an inheritance, which could render them financially independent and no longer in need of support.
Misconduct: Certain behaviors can also lead to the disqualification of alimony. For instance, if a spouse is found to have engaged in financial misconduct, such as hiding assets or failing to disclose financial information during the divorce proceedings, this can result in disqualification.
California doesn't use a "calculator" for determining the amount of long-term spousal support. Instead, judges must decide how much to award after they've considered all of the following circumstances: each spouse's needs, based on the standard of living they had during the marriage.
Since the goal is to protect mutual standards of living, if your ex remarries or finds themselves once again in a steady double-income household, you may no longer be required to maintain or begin alimony payments.
Misconduct: Certain behaviors can also lead to the disqualification of alimony. For instance, if a spouse is found to have engaged in financial misconduct, such as hiding assets or failing to disclose financial information during the divorce proceedings, this can result in disqualification.
The guideline states that the paying spouse's support be presumptively 40% of his or her net monthly income, reduced by one-half of the receiving spouse's net monthly income. If child support is an issue, spousal support is calculated after child support is calculated.
A: In California, judges consider various factors when determining whether to award spousal support, including the duration of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity and needs, and the standard of living established during the marriage.