Will Alimony Be Part of
Your Divorce Settlement?

California does not use a fixed formula for spousal support — unlike child support. Instead, judges apply a multi-factor analysis under California Family Code Section 4320. Factors include the earning capacity of each spouse, the ability to pay, the standard of living established during the marriage, the length of the marriage, each spouse’s age and health, contributions to the other spouse’s education or career, and any documented history of domestic violence. At Haslam Perri Law Firm, our board-certified attorneys advocate for a support amount that accurately reflects every relevant factor.

Temporary spousal support — also called pendente lite support — is ordered during the divorce proceedings to maintain the financial status quo. It is calculated using a formula similar to child support. Permanent spousal support is set at the final divorce judgment and reflects the court’s comprehensive analysis of all statutory factors. Despite the name, permanent support is not necessarily paid forever — it can be modified or terminated based on changed circumstances such as remarriage, cohabitation, or a significant change in income.

For marriages under 10 years, California courts typically order support for half the length of the marriage. For marriages of 10 years or longer, the court retains jurisdiction indefinitely and does not set a specific termination date — though support can later be modified or terminated. Factors such as the supported spouse’s efforts to become self-supporting and any job training or education requirements also affect the duration. Our attorneys advocate for support terms that reflect your specific circumstances.

Yes. Either spouse can petition the court to modify spousal support if there has been a material change in circumstances — such as a significant income change, job loss, remarriage of the supported spouse, or cohabitation with a new partner in a marriage-like relationship. The paying spouse’s retirement can also be grounds for modification. Our attorneys handle spousal support modification proceedings throughout San Bernardino County and Riverside County.

Concealing income or underreporting earnings to reduce spousal support is a serious violation of California disclosure laws. Our attorneys work with forensic accountants and financial investigators to uncover the full picture of your spouse’s income — including business revenue, investment income, cash compensation, and perquisites. Courts take deliberate concealment seriously and may order the dishonest spouse to pay a larger support amount as a sanction.

Yes. Many spousal support arrangements are reached through negotiation or mediation rather than court determination. A negotiated spousal support agreement is incorporated into the marital settlement agreement and submitted to the court for approval. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who pursue fair support arrangements efficiently — but when a judge must decide, we are equally effective trial litigators in San Bernardino Superior Court.