Spousal Support
Ensure that you receive fair treatment under the law
Los Angeles Spousal Support Lawyer
Helping You Achieve a Fair and Lasting Agreement
During or after a divorce, a court may order one spouse to provide financial support to the other to help maintain stability and fairness as both parties move forward. Known as spousal support (or alimony), these payments are designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living close to what was experienced during the marriage.
Even when both parties agree that support is necessary, determining the right amount and duration can be one of the most difficult aspects of a divorce. Whether you’re seeking support or being asked to pay it, having an experienced attorney on your side can make a critical difference.
At Holstrom, Block & Parke, A Professional Law Corporation, our Los Angeles divorce lawyers have decades of experience helping clients negotiate, modify, and enforce fair spousal support agreements that reflect California law and your individual circumstances.
Call today for a free consultation to discuss your case with a trusted family law attorney.
How Courts Determine Spousal Support in California
When deciding whether to award spousal support—and in what amount—the court considers several factors under California Family Code §§4320–4339, including:
- Each spouse’s current income and earning capacity
- Each spouse’s ability to become self-supporting
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage
- The age and health of both spouses
- Any history of domestic violence or financial misconduct
Because no two marriages are the same, spousal support decisions require careful analysis and experienced legal advocacy to ensure fairness for both parties.
For a marriage that lasts more than 10 years – a long-term marriage – a judge is given the power to decide how long the spousal support order will persist, based on contributing factors like the incomes of both spouses. It is possible for a spousal support order to be “indefinite,” existing as long as the receiving spouse requires the help to make ends meet. California Family Code does, however, state that receiving parties must make an honest effort to become self-sufficient, such as completing higher education courses and attempting to hold onto or find employment, if they are to receive continued spousal support.
Duration of Spousal Support
California law distinguishes between short-term and long-term marriages, which affects the duration of spousal support orders:
- Short-Term Marriages (less than 10 years): Support typically lasts up to half the length of the marriage, though exceptions exist for special circumstances such as illness or disability.
- Long-Term Marriages (10 years or more): The court has broader discretion to determine how long support should continue, sometimes ordering ongoing or “indefinite” support based on financial need.
Regardless of duration, the law expects recipients to make good-faith efforts toward becoming self-sufficient, such as pursuing education or employment opportunities.
Modifying Spousal Support Orders
Life changes—and so can spousal support. California courts allow modifications to spousal support orders when there is a significant change in circumstances, such as:
- A substantial increase or decrease in either spouse’s income
- Job loss or reduced earning ability of the paying spouse
- The receiving spouse’s improved financial situation or remarriage
Our attorneys can help you petition for a modification or challenge an unfair request, ensuring the outcome reflects your current reality.
Protect Your Financial Future with Skilled Legal Counsel
The terms of a spousal support order can significantly affect your long-term financial well-being. At Holstrom, Block & Parke, our Los Angeles family law attorneys understand how to balance fairness, financial realities, and the law to achieve the best possible results for our clients.
Whether you’re negotiating new terms, seeking enforcement, or requesting a modification, we’ll guide you through each step with clarity, compassion, and proven experience.
Contact our Los Angeles spousal support lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and secure a fair, sustainable agreement for your future.
