California divorce proceedings often consider the duration of the marriage when determining certain aspects of the settlement. Specifically, a marriage lasting ten years or more carries significant implications for spousal support, sometimes referred to as alimony. For instance, a marriage exceeding this length may result in the court retaining jurisdiction indefinitely to modify spousal support orders, rather than setting a termination date.
The length of the marriage impacts several facets of a dissolution case. A longer marriage, especially one of significant duration, often leads to a greater likelihood of indefinite spousal support, reflecting the notion that one spouse may have become financially dependent on the other over an extended period. This dependency could stem from career sacrifices made to support the family or other factors that diminished earning potential. This consideration also acknowledges the contributions each spouse made to the marital estate throughout their union.
