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SB-589 • 2026

Spousal support: factors.

Spousal support: factors.

Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Alvarado-Gil
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details about the amount of spousal support or how retirement benefits will be shared.

Spousal Support: Factors

This law modifies how courts decide spousal support and division of assets in cases involving violent sexual felonies without a criminal conviction.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the court to order spousal support and set a date for separation if one spouse commits a violent sexual felony against the other, even without a criminal conviction.
  • Permits the court to award community property interest in retirement benefits when there is evidence of a violent sexual felony but no criminal conviction.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who get divorced or separated after a violent sexual felony.
  • Courts deciding on spousal support and division of assets in cases involving violent sexual felonies.

Terms To Know

Spousal Support
Money one spouse pays to the other after separation or divorce to help them live.
Community Property
Assets and debts that a married couple shares equally.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much spousal support should be given.
  • It is unclear what happens if both spouses commit violent sexual felonies against each other.
  • The exact details of when retirement benefits are shared remain to be determined by the courts.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-03-05 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on JUD. and APPR.

  3. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  4. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 589, as introduced, Alvarado-Gil.
Spousal support: factors.
Existing law requires a person to support their spouse. Existing law authorizes a court to order spousal support in an amount, and for a period of time, that the court determines is just and reasonable based on the standard of living established during the marriage. Existing law requires a court, in making spousal support awards, to consider specified factors, including, among other things, each party’s earning capacity, the needs of each party, and the duration of the marriage. Existing law prohibits an award relating to spousal support and attorney’s fees, provides for the setting of the date of separation, and awards community property interest in retirement and pension benefits if there is a criminal conviction for a violent sexual felony, as specified.
This bill would also prohibit an award relating to spousal support and attorney’s fees,
provide for the setting of the date of separation, and award a community property interest in retirement and pension benefits if, in the absence of a criminal conviction, the family court finds that one spouse has perpetrated a violent sexual felony against the other.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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