In California, a marriage lasting ten years or more carries significant implications regarding spousal support during a divorce. This duration often triggers what is commonly referred to as a “long-term” marriage. For instance, if a couple is married for 12 years and then divorces, the court may order the higher-earning spouse to provide spousal support to the lower-earning spouse for an indefinite period. This doesn’t necessarily mean support lasts forever, but rather that there’s no pre-determined termination date at the time of the divorce decree.
The length of the marriage is a key factor in determining the amount and duration of spousal support. A longer marriage, particularly one exceeding ten years, often results in a greater likelihood of indefinite support, which offers financial stability to the receiving spouse post-divorce. This rule acknowledges the potential for one spouse to have forgone career opportunities to support the family during the marriage and provides a mechanism to address any economic imbalance created during that time. The application of this principle seeks to ensure a fairer outcome, especially when one party has been financially dependent on the other for a substantial period.