California Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support (maintenance) amount and duration in California. Updated for 2026.
Last reviewed July 2026 · Free · Nothing you enter is stored
Judicial discretion state
$0
estimated monthly spousal support ·
Educational estimate, not legal advice. Alimony in California is discretionary — actual awards vary widely by judge and circumstances.
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How alimony works in California
California does not use a fixed statutory formula for alimony amounts. Judges weigh statutory factors — length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, age and health, standard of living, and contributions to the marriage. Our calculator uses the AAML guideline formula (30% of payor's income minus 20% of recipient's) that attorneys commonly use for ballpark estimates.
Governing law: Cal. Fam. Code §§ 4320, 4330, 4336 — Post-divorce support is purely discretionary under the § 4320 factors — formulas are prohibited for the final award; county formulas (e.g., 40% payor net minus 50% payee net) apply only to temporary support.
Frequently asked questions
How is alimony calculated in California?
California does not use a fixed statutory formula for alimony amounts. Judges weigh statutory factors — length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, age and health, standard of living, and contributions to the marriage. Our calculator uses the AAML guideline formula (30% of payor's income minus 20% of recipient's) that attorneys commonly use for ballpark estimates. See Cal. Fam. Code §§ 4320, 4330, 4336.
How long does alimony last in California?
Marriages of 10+ years are presumptively 'long duration' with indefinite court jurisdiction (Fam. Code § 4336); for shorter marriages the informal rule of thumb is support for roughly half the length of the marriage, with an expectation of self-support within a reasonable period.
What types of alimony does California recognize?
California recognizes: temporary, long-term post-judgment, rehabilitative, lump-sum by agreement. Post-divorce support is purely discretionary under the § 4320 factors — formulas are prohibited for the final award; county formulas (e.g., 40% payor net minus 50% payee net) apply only to temporary support.
Is alimony taxable in California?
For divorces finalized after 2018, federal law (TCJA) makes alimony non-deductible for the payer and non-taxable for the recipient. A few states differ for state income tax — confirm with a tax professional.
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