Difference between 50/50 and alimony ?

Expert-Raccoon6097 · 2025-04-15T23:04:44+00:00

Go use the online calculators for California....plug in your info and you will get your answer. These are the same calculators the court will be using.

Brilliant_Ad5830 · 2025-04-15T19:55:54+00:00

3.2 years isn't a long time. And 6 years of independence says a lot about her ability to provide for herself. Why would you be on the hook for alimony at all?

CA trials are really rare. For a judge to solely determine alimony, it has to go to trial.

Most people settle out of court ... 90% or so actually. If you settle, alimony can be just about whatever number you both can agree on.

The 50/50 split is on all the assets and debts accrued DURING marriage. If you mortgaged your home, for example, she is due 50% of the principle you built up over the 3.2 years. She's also on the hook for half the debt. To do it right, you'll have to dig up beginning and ending balances for all accounts from 6 to 10 years ago and consider the delta from date of marriage to date of separation.

Or you can just buy her out. Offer a lump sum as a settlement. "Take this money as a good faith rough estimate of our marriage assets minus debts." Dot all the i's. Cross all the t's. Everything in writing. The end forever. No alimony. Reasonable lawyer fees. Everyone wins.

engineered-chemistry · 2025-04-15T18:54:36+00:00

Hire a vocational expert to testify on your wife’s earning power. It’ll reduce your spousal support obligation greatly. May move the needle a bit on child support too.

RevolutionaryLaw8854 · 2025-04-15T18:21:58+00:00

Why did you file a legal separation and not just divorce 6 years ago?

cschoonmaker · 2025-04-15T17:43:28+00:00

You'll split all marital assests 50/50. That's pretty much standard in all states.
Spousal support is usually granted for 1/2 the length of the marriage for any union lasting less than 10 years. Any union over 10 years and alimony is not tied to a specific end date (it is NOT lifetime as many have suggested, there is a difference). They usually follow a formula: 40% of the higher earners pay minus 50% of the lower earners pay. That is usually what is granted as temporary alimony while the divorce proceedings move forward. Judges can take into consideration a partners earning potential vs current employment and a host of other factors when determining alimony.
When you file, she will almost immediately ask for support. And it will almost immediately be granted, including any back payments from the date of separation.

Title	Difference between 50/50 and alimony ?
Author	yknotalpha
Upvotes	3
Comments	6
Date	April 15, 2025 4:40 PM UTC (1 year ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1jzwjmb/difference_between_5050_and_alimony/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/difference-between-5050-and-alimony.1549685 https://theredarchive.com/post/1549685

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