Can Alimony Last Forever in California?
Alimony is an important source of financial support for many former spouses in California, and many recipients may be wondering how long this financial safety net will last. This is an especially important question in the modern era, as California residents now face serious inflation, high mortgage costs, and general economic uncertainty. Is it really true that alimony in California might last forever?
What is Alimony in California?
Also known as “spousal support,” alimony is a type of financial safety net that some spouses get access to after divorce. The purpose of alimony in California is to help spouses who became financially dependent on their exes during marriage. These spouses may have neglected to continue with careers or education due to an assumption that their marriages would last forever. As a result, they may be unprepared to rejoin the workforce and become financially independent. In the case of a “gray divorce,” where spouses are rapidly approaching retirement age, it may be too late to consider re-entering the workforce.
Does Permanent Alimony Exist in California?
In California, permanent alimony is indeed possible. Usually, this form of alimony is reserved for long-term marriages. However, it is technically possible to receive permanent alimony even if your marriage has lasted for a relatively short period of time (perhaps less than 10 years). Permanent alimony may be referred to as “long-term support” by family courts in California.
Even Permanent Alimony Can End – Often Unexpectedly
It is worth noting that even though you may see your alimony arrangement as “permanent,” there is no real guarantee that it will last forever. There are many situations in which a permanent alimony agreement may be modified. Your spouse may attempt to modify your alimony arrangement for many different reasons in an attempt to lower their financial obligations. For example, it is possible to reduce or even halt alimony payments if your ex experiences a disability, reaches retirement age, or goes through a serious drop in income.
Sometimes, jobs become obsolete – and this is happening at an accelerated rate due to technological developments in California. The arrival of generative AI may speed up this process and make many sources of income untenable in the future. A spouse with a creative legal team can attempt to stop permanent alimony using a range of different strategies.
That being said, only serious changes in circumstances may justify modifications of alimony agreements. Your spouse cannot stop paying alimony just because they have experienced a demotion or if they have suffered a slight injury that does not affect their ability to earn income.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Spousal Support Lawyer in California?
If you have been searching for a California supousal support attorney who can help with alimony concerns, look no further than the RM Law Group. Over the years, we have helped numerous spouses pursue positive financial results. Whether you are set to lose access to spousal support soon or you are planning ahead for the future, there are various steps you can take today to pursue economic security. Book your consultation to assess the best route forward.
Jason Martinez is a co-founding partner of RM Law Group, LLP. His practice focuses exclusively on California Family Law and community property division, including litigation and settlement of complex and high-conflict divorce and child custody proceedings. Jason understands that divorce and family law issues have long-term effects on all family members, especially the children.
