What Is the Average Spousal Support Payment in California? 2025

When you get divorced, you and your spouse must disentangle your entire lives together. This is rarely an easy process, and it involves separating your finances and living situations as well as managing co-parenting. In that financial separation, one of you may be required by the court to provide the other with spousal support, which is not uncommon. As you navigate your divorce, you may wonder, “What is the average spousal support payment in California?”

It’s important to keep in mind that the divorce rate in California has been around 9% since 2022. California, especially when compared to other states, has one of the lower divorce rates in the nation. Still, divorce does happen, and it’s important to protect yourself if it happens to you. Cianci Law, PC, which is also called Creative Family Solutions, can offer you a plan to negotiate spousal support and represent your interests throughout your divorce.

What Is the Average Spousal Support Payment in California?

In California, there is no official average when it comes to spousal support payments. Every divorce case is different, with every case having its own contributing factors and specifics. Just because a divorce case similar to yours results in high spousal support payments, that doesn’t mean that yours will. There’s a chance you might not receive spousal support at all. It’s different for everyone.

When determining spousal support payments in California, the judge presiding over your case can take many different factors into consideration. These factors may include the total length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial situation and earning capacity, each spouse’s standard of living during the marriage, and the ability of the higher-earning spouse to meet payments while also meeting their own needs. Spousal support is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Spousal support is a common result of divorce, especially in situations where one spouse was the main breadwinner and the other didn’t work as much or at all. The purpose of spousal support is to provide the lower-earning spouse with a financial cushion while they make the effort to adjust their lives accordingly. This may include finding a higher-paying job, pursuing higher education, or even seeking another serious relationship.

The Different Forms of Spousal Support

When the court determines spousal support, there is no fixed formula to figure out how much one spouse may have to pay the other. There are multiple ways to determine that. One of the common ones involves taking 40% of the net income of the highest-earning spouse and deducting one half of the lower-earning spouse’s income. Spousal support generally ends when the lower-earning spouse either remarries or passes away. It can also end at the discretion of the court. The two main forms of spousal support are:

• Temporary support. Temporary support is common in cases where the lower-earning spouse needs temporary relief. It is awarded to one spouse throughout the duration of the divorce process and may end once the divorce has been finalized. In certain cases, temporary support may be extended after the divorce if the court deems it necessary and the lower-earning spouse successfully argues for a modification.
• Long-term support. In situations where the higher-earning spouse made significantly more than the other spouse, long-term support may be awarded indefinitely. This sort of support only ends with the lower-earning spouse getting remarried or dying. Apart from that, the court may order it to be paid as long as it needs to be. The ultimate goal is for the lower-earning spouse to become financially independent, and that may take a while.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Spousal Support Payment in California?

A: There is no average spousal support payment in California. Every divorce is the result of different contributing factors, and those same factors are going to influence the amount that one spouse may have to pay in spousal support. Since every divorce is different, every spousal support payment is also going to be different. It’s important to negotiate these payments so you don’t end up paying more than you feel is appropriate.

Q: How Long Are You Entitled to Spousal Support in California?

A: The amount of time you may be entitled to spousal support in California depends entirely on the overall length of the marriage. For marriages that lasted less than 10 years, spousal support may last around half of that time. For longer marriages, spousal support may be provided indefinitely. It ultimately depends on the circumstances of the divorce and the long-term needs of the lower-earning spouse.

Q: What Is the Difference Between Spousal Support and Alimony in California?

A: There is no difference between spousal support and alimony in California. The two terms are interchangeable and essentially mean the exact same thing. They both refer to short or long-term payments from one spouse to another in the event of a divorce. The goal of these payments is to help the lower-earning spouse become financially independent and have a cushion they can use to work to better themselves. Spousal support is generally considered the more modern term.

Q: What Disqualifies You From Spousal Support in California?

A: Even though California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that a marriage can be dissolved without proving that one spouse did something wrong, there are still factors that can disqualify you from spousal support in California. The most significant one is domestic violence and abuse. Such activity can impact spousal support, child custody, and restraining orders. The courts need to see solid evidence of domestic abuse.

Reach Out to an Experienced Divorce Lawyer Today

While California does not have an official average when it comes to spousal support, you should have a lawyer on your side negotiating an amount you feel is appropriate to the situation. The legal team at Cianci Law, PC has helped many clients just like you through the legalities of divorce and are ready to do the same for you. Contact us today to speak to a valued team member about your family matters.

See Related Posts:

• When Can Child or Spousal Support Orders Be Set Aside?
• What Will a Judge Consider with California Spousal Support?
• How Spousal Support Works in California