Spousal support (also known as alimony) is a court ordered payment from one spouse or domestic partner to help cover the other's monthly expenses. Once a divorce is final, you may receive (or pay) spousal or domestic partner support.This is called permanent or long-term spousal support. It is broken down into two types: temporary and permanent. Learn about the kinds of spousal support in California, how judges decide the amount and duration of alimony, and whether you can change the award later. Is California an alimony state? How much alimony you pay in California sometimes depends on a formula, and it's sometimes a countybycounty basis. Alimony, commonly referred to as "spousal support" in California, is a financial assistance awarded to a spouse during or after a divorce. See Also: ; Temporary Alimony; Rehabilitative Alimony; Permanent Alimony ; Annuity payments; Trust payments; In-kind payments (e.g. Alimony, also called spousal support in California, is money one spouse pays to the other during and after a divorce or legal separation.