Spousal Support Calculator California
Estimate spousal support (alimony) payments in California based on income, deductions, and marriage duration using the guideline formula.
Published by:
isCalculator Editorial Team
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How to use this tool?
How to Use the Spousal Support Calculator (California)
- Enter Higher Earner’s Monthly Gross Income – The spouse with the higher income. Use a positive number (e.g., 10000).
- Enter Lower Earner’s Monthly Gross Income – The spouse with the lower income. Must be less than or equal to the higher earner’s.
- Optional: Monthly Deductions – Estimated taxes, FICA, etc. Enter 0 if unknown.
- Enter Marriage Duration (years) – Total years married (e.g., 10). Used to estimate support length.
- Click “Calculate Support” – The result shows estimated monthly support and duration.
What the Output Means:
- Estimated Monthly Support – Guideline amount based on California’s formula: 40% of combined net income minus lower earner’s net income, capped at 50% of higher earner’s net income.
- Estimated Duration – If marriage < 10 years, duration = 0.5 × marriage years. If ≥10 years, support is indefinite (no fixed end).
Important: All values must be non-negative. At least one income must be greater than zero. The calculator uses gross income minus deductions to compute net income. This is a guideline only; actual court orders may differ.
Previous Results
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Frequently Asked Questions
California uses a guideline formula: 40% of the combined net income minus the lower earner's net income, capped at 50% of the higher earner's net income. Net income is gross income minus deductions like taxes.
For marriages under 10 years, duration is typically half the length of the marriage. For marriages 10 years or longer, support may be indefinite or for a longer period.
No, this calculator provides an estimate based on guideline formulas. Actual support orders depend on many factors and are determined by a judge.
Common deductions include federal and state taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement contributions, and health insurance premiums. Enter an estimate of total monthly deductions.
