California has no fixed alimony formula — see how courts apply Cal. Fam. Code § 4320, typical amount ranges, and duration norms.
| How amount is set | Court discretion (statutory factors) |
|---|---|
| Formula / practice | No statewide formula for post-judgment support (Fam. Code § 4320 factors). Temporary support commonly uses local court guideline (e.g., 40% payor net − 50% payee net) — v1 shows discretionary range with this as reference. |
| Statute | Cal. Fam. Code § 4320 |
| Parameters verified | 2026-07 |
Result: $750 - $1,250 per month (reference range) - typical duration: commonly one-third to one-half of marriage length (court discretion)
There is no fixed formula in California. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4320, judges weigh marriage length, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, age and health, and the marital standard of living. The calculator above shows a reference range based on income difference.
Duration is at the court’s discretion - commonly one-third to one-half of the marriage length for mid-length marriages, longer or indefinite for marriages over 20 years.
Alimony typically ends on the recipient’s remarriage or either party’s death, and can be modified or terminated on the recipient’s cohabitation or a substantial change in circumstances, per Cal. Fam. Code § 4320 and case law. Agreements can make support non-modifiable by contract.
For divorces finalized after 2018, alimony is not deductible by the payor and not taxable to the recipient under federal law. State income tax treatment can differ - check current state rules.
Estimate only — not legal advice. Based on California law (Cal. Fam. Code § 4320), last verified 2026-07. Courts may deviate — this state sets alimony case by case. Consult a family law attorney for your situation.