Divorce Settlement Calculator - California

How Divorce Works in California

California is a community property state. Under this rule, nearly all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are owned equally (50/50) by both spouses, regardless of who earned the money or whose name is on the account.

The starting point for any settlement negotiation in California is an equal division of all marital property. Courts can deviate from this in limited circumstances, but 50/50 is the default.

What Is Considered Marital Property in California?

• Income earned by either spouse during the marriage
• Real estate purchased with marital funds
• Retirement account contributions made during the marriage
• Savings, investments, and bank accounts accumulated jointly
• Business interests developed during the marriage

Spousal Support in California

Spousal Support (spousal support) may be awarded in Californiabased on the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, and the standard of living established during the marriage. The amount and duration vary widely and are often the most negotiated part of a settlement.

How to Use SettleLens for Your California Divorce

1. Enter your assets: home equity, retirement accounts, savings, vehicles
2. Enter your debts: mortgage, car loans, credit cards
3. Enter income: yours and your spouse's annual gross income
4. Build scenarios: who keeps the house? How is retirement divided?
5. See projections: compare 10-year net worth under each scenario

SettleLens applies community property rules for California to give you a starting point for negotiations.