CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Spousal Support
......Modification
.........Stepdown/"Richmond" Orders
............Discussed/Burden of Proof
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Justification for stepdown order.

Richmond order explained.

Stepdown/Richmond orders are appropriate in most, but not all, spousal support cases.

Where change of circumstances justifies decrease in support, court may allow phase-in over time, if, at time it issues order, court had discretion to reduce support payment to final step-down amt. and states reasons.

If circumstances of case warrant retention of jurisdiction, then failure to grant paying spouse's request for a Richmond order is not abuse of discretion.

Failure to establish what circumstances were at previous order may preclude subsequent modification.

Burden may be shifted to supported spouse to show why support should continue after date selected for termination.

Stepdown order shifts burden to supported spouse to show why spousal support should continue.