When many people hear the term “alimony,” they think of situations in which payments are made permanently from one spouse to the other. However, there are various types of alimony that could be awarded in California. This could include:
Temporary Alimony, which may be ordered paid to one spouse only while the divorce is ongoing. This type of alimony could stop when the divorce is finalized, or it could be transitioned into another type of alimony.
Permanent Alimony payments are made long-term to the spouse of lesser means. These payments are typically ordered for marriages that were longer in duration and when the spouse of lesser means may not have an opportunity to become self-sustaining (due to age, disability, etc.). Permanent alimony payments are typically made monthly over extended periods of time. They typically do not end unless one spouse does or unless the receiving spouse remarries.