Spousal support (also known as alimony) is a court ordered payment from one spouse or domestic partner to help cover the other's monthly expenses. This is called permanent or long-term spousal support.This is usually a monthly payment that can last for many years. Alimony, also known as spousal support, can be one of the most complex financial matters in a California divorce. Divorces must file for temporary or permanent alimony in California. Our Corona Spousal Support Lawyer team can help you. Cohabitation and Remarriage: Alimony may be terminated or modified if the supported spouse starts cohabiting with a new partner or remarries. California calculates temporary and permanent support differently. For temporary support, the family court balances what you need and what your spouse can pay. Spousal support — also known as maintenance or alimony — over a "reasonable period of time" eases the transition.