California Alimony Calculator
Temporary Spousal Support Analysis
What Is the California Alimony Calculator?
The California Alimony Calculator is a simple online tool designed to estimate temporary spousal support (also called pendente lite support).
It asks for:
- Payor’s gross monthly income
- Recipient’s gross monthly income
- Deductions (like taxes or health insurance)
- Length of the marriage in years
- County guideline selection (since some counties have their own formulas)
Once you enter these numbers, the calculator runs the math and shows:
- An estimated monthly payment
- A guideline duration of support
- Advisory notes about how courts use California Family Code § 4320 factors for permanent (post-divorce) support decisions
Important note: This calculator only provides estimates for temporary support. Final orders are made by judges after reviewing all legal factors.
How Does It Work?
The calculator uses county guidelines as a starting point. For example:
- Santa Clara & Alameda: Support = (40% of payor’s net income) – (50% of recipient’s net income)
- Marin County: Support = (35% of payor’s net income) – (45% of recipient’s net income)
Here’s the basic flow:
- Subtract deductions from gross income to get net income.
- Apply the county formula (different multipliers for payor and recipient).
- Show the difference as the estimated support payment.
- Estimate support duration:
- Marriage under 10 years → support often lasts half the marriage length.
- Marriage 10+ years → court usually retains jurisdiction, meaning support could continue indefinitely until remarriage, death, or further court orders.
Why Does Duration Matter?
California courts treat short-term and long-term marriages differently.
- Short-term marriage (<10 years): Support often ends after about half the marriage length. Example: A 6-year marriage may mean ~3 years of support.
- Long-term marriage (10+ years): Support could continue without a set end date, though courts can modify it later.
This distinction is crucial because the duration impacts long-term financial planning for both spouses.
Beyond the Calculator: The § 4320 Factors
The calculator is just the beginning. For permanent spousal support, California courts use 14 factors under Family Code § 4320. These include:
- Each spouse’s earning capacity
- Standard of living during the marriage
- Age and health of both spouses
- Contribution to each other’s careers
- History of domestic violence
- Financial needs and obligations
So while the calculator gives a quick ballpark figure, real-world orders depend on a much deeper analysis.
Why Use the Calculator?
Here’s why people find it useful:
Quick estimates – Get an idea of possible payments without legal paperwork.
Financial planning – Helps both parties prepare for negotiations.
County-specific guidance – Accounts for local guideline differences.
User-friendly design – Simple inputs, instant results.
But again: it’s not a substitute for legal advice. Always consult a California family law attorney for an accurate assessment.
Example: How the Calculator Works in Practice
Imagine this situation:
- Payor earns $8,000 gross monthly income with $1,500 deductions.
- Recipient earns $2,000 gross income with $500 deductions.
- Married for 12 years.
- Chosen county guideline: Santa Clara.
The calculator will show:
- Estimated monthly payment: around $2,150 (based on formula).
- Duration: Since this is a long-term marriage (10+ years), support could be indefinite.
- Advisory note: Judge will consider all § 4320 factors for final orders.
