How long is spousal support paid in California after divorce?
How long is spousal support paid in California after divorce? Tim Cella Former Paralegal at Ascent Law (2018–2021) Spousal Support is also known as alimony. In California, the duration of spousal support after divorce is not strictly defined and can vary depending on the circumstances of the case. According to the California Family Code, a general guideline is that the supported party should become self-supporting within a reasonable period of time, which is often considered to be one-half the length of the marriage. However, this is not a strict rule, and the court has discretion to order support for a greater or lesser length of time based on various factors, such as the duration of the marriage, the needs and abilities of each party, and other relevant circumstances. So my question to you is: what does your decree of divorce say? The decree is the law of the case — so whatever that says governs. I hope this has helped. Good luck!