Spousal Support

• When one spouse cannot be self-sufficient upon divorce, a court may award spousal support, considering: whether the requesting spouse gave up a career to raise children; the requesting spouse's current income, if any; whether the requesting spouse requires education or training to obtain sufficient employment; whether the spouse's age or health prevent employment; the owing spouse's income and ability to pay support; and any history of domestic violence. The goal is for the requesting spouse to eventually reach the same standard of living with her own income as she enjoyed during the marriage.
  
  

Modification

• Unless a spousal support order contains a provision preventing future modification, a court may modify the order if one spouse proves that there was a "material change in circumstances" since the original order was issued.
  
  

Termination

• Temporary spousal support awards terminate upon the date set forth in the order. However, under Section 4337 of the California Family Code, temporary or permanent support can terminate early when either spouse remarries or dies.