Child Support California Calculator
Dissomaster Spousal Support Calculator

The DissoMaster™ program has been used for over two decades to determine guideline child and spousal support payments. Our company has over 17 years of experience using the DissoMaster™ program and we can put that knowledge toward finding the best support payment for you. DissoMaster software is used by family law professionals in California to calculate child support and spousal support payments in divorce cases. The Superior Court of California has relied on DissoMaster in divorce cases for more than two decades.

Calculating Spousal Support Payments Made Simple

Complete the fields below and press calculate to estimate alimony.

The figures presented are based on legal California alimony guidelines. Please, complete all questions for the most accurate result.

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This calculator has not been approved by the State of California and is for estimation purposes only. Although we have thoroughly tested our calculator and believe it produces results consistent with the calculators that the courts use due to the use of the same mathematical formula, but there is no guarantee is made regarding its accuracy. We do not advise you to rely solely on this program in calculating support and do accept any liability from your use of the program.

This calculator does not constitute legal advice and is limited to estimation of spousal support (SS) and child support (CS) based on limited input. You should still consult a qualified attorney to obtain accurate legal advice regarding your specific child and/or spousal support rights and obligations. Only support calculations computed by certified software programs are admissible in court. This calculator is not certified or admissible for court use.

Child Support California Calculator

Our calculator uses the mathematical formulas found in the California Family Code and other Rules of Court and is current through the 2011 legislative session. The results of this program have been found to closely approximate results similar to officially approved programs.

Like all support calculators, the figures derived are only as accurate as the numbers input into the program. This calculator does not take into account all tax scenarios or consider all possible tax deductions. As such, our support calculations are not guaranteed. We make no warranty as to its accuracy or ability to match to other programs, either express or implied. In order to obtain as accurate of a support calculation as possible, you should consult a qualified family law attorney in your geographic area.

Where does this number come from?

Our calculator is based off the formula utilized by all courtrooms in California and is published in the family law statutes. The support figure that this calculator generates is commonly referred to as “guideline” and is typically what a courtroom will use to determine your monthly payment. A skilled attorney can argue to have this amount either raised or lowered depending on the situation. Cristin has established herself as an expert at this process and will fight to get you the best results. If you have additional questions on support or believe your numbers may be inaccurate, please give us a call or schedule a consult.

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Understanding California Spousal Support Guidelines

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Understanding California Spousal Support Guidelines

Knowing your rights or obligations regarding spousal support is extremely important before filing for divorce. Learning why support is offered, how long it will be paid, and exactly how much will need to be provided will help you be better prepared for what to expect. Here is a simple breakdown of the most basic and necessary information about spousal support.

What is Spousal Support?

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is the term used for payments from one spouse to another after a divorce has been filed. It is broken down into two types: temporary and permanent. These terms are legal terms and not to be confused with the common definitions of temporary and permanent.
Temporary support is spousal support that is ordered while a divorce is pending. It does not expire, nor is there a set period of time for support.
Permanent spousal support is more accurately referred to as “post-divorce judgment” support. It is based on a set of 14 different factors, ranging from the length of the marriage to the marital standard of living.

What is the Purpose of Spousal Support?

Temporary spousal support is to maintain the living conditions and standards of both parties until permanent support has been determined, along with the final division of assets and debts.
The purpose of the permanent spousal support is different. It is to provide the spouse with sufficient income for their basic needs and to ensure that their lifestyle will be able to remain consistent after the divorce.
It is the policy of the State of California that both parties become self-supporting within a reasonable amount of time. Spousal support is meant to bridge that gap between the time it takes for the supported spouse to obtain employment or resources that meet their cost of living needs.

How Long Will I Pay or Receive Spousal Support?

The length of spousal support is based on a reasonable transition period from married life to single and self-sufficient life.
The duration of support depends on in part on the length of the marriage. For marriages lasting less than ten years, the length of support is presumed to be equal to one-half of the time. For example, for a marriage that lasted eight years, the presumption is that the appropriate length of support is four years.
If you are married for longer than 10 years, the lesser earning spouse will receive support for as long as he or she needs to, as long as the other spouse is able to pay. There is no automatic termination date.

How Much Spousal Support Will be Ordered?

In California, the Superior Courts of Solano counties have adopted a spousal support guideline called the “Santa Clara Guideline” formula for use in temporary spousal support. Alameda and Contra Costa counties have adopted the “Alameda Guideline” formula. The guideline states that the paying spouse’s support be presumptively 40% of his or her net monthly income, reduced by one-half of the receiving spouse’s net monthly income. If child support is an issue, spousal support is calculated afterchild support is calculated.
Deciding permanent support is a much more detailed process with many factors to be considered. The controlling statute that the court must consider in establishing permanent spousal support states the following:

Family Code Section 4320. In ordering spousal support under this part, the court shall consider all of the following circumstances:

Dissomaster Spousal Support Calculator

The extent to which the earning capacity of each party is sufficient to maintain the standard of living established during the marriage, taking into account all of the following:
1. The marketable skills of the supported party; the job market for those skills; the time and expenses required for the supported party to acquire the appropriate education or training to develop those skills; and the possible need for retraining or education to acquire other, more marketable skills or employment.
2. The extent to which the supported party’s present or future earning capacity is impaired by periods of unemployment that were incurred during the marriage to permit the supported party to devote time to domestic duties.
The extent to which the supported party contributed to the attainment of an education, training, a c