After a divorce in California, one spouse may be required to pay the other two types of support. This includes:
Temporary spousal support
A temporary support order requires a higher-earning spouse to pay support to a lower-earning spouse while divorce proceedings are pending.
Long-term spousal support
At the end of the divorce proceedings, long-term spousal support orders, also known as permanent support orders, are issued. However, this does not necessarily mean that everyone eligible will receive it permanently or indefinitely.
When the court orders support after a divorce, it usually recommends that the recipient make reasonable efforts to support themselves within a reasonable period of time. According to Family Code Section 4320, a reasonable amount of time is typically defined as one-half of the length of the marriage. This is the guideline for how long the paying spouse usually needs for maintenance. Courts may differ from the guidelines, but this is a guess.
However, if a marriage has lasted ten or more years, the court may use its discretion to decide that it is not advisable to suggest that the spouse receiving alimony become self-supporting. There is no specific guideline for how long support should last after long-term marriages. The court remains responsible for the issue of support indefinitely.
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