Actress Alexandra Daddario and producer Andrew Form have ended their marriage after roughly two years, with Daddario's representative stating the decision "was made with love and respect," according to People. The couple married in 2022, share a young son, and plan to co-parent. In California, their case will likely proceed under the state's no-fault divorce statute, Cal. Fam. Code § 2310, with custody decided by the best-interest standard of Cal. Fam. Code § 3011.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Alexandra Daddario and Andrew Form announced the end of their marriage |
| When | Reported 2026; couple married in 2022 |
| Where | California (couple's primary residence) |
| Who's affected | Daddario, Form, and their young son |
| Key statute | Cal. Fam. Code § 2310 (no-fault), § 3011 (custody) |
| Impact | Co-parenting arrangement for a minor child; community property division |
Why This Matters Legally
This announcement signals a textbook California co-parenting case where the child's welfare, not parental fault, controls the outcome. California is a pure no-fault divorce state, meaning neither Daddario nor Form must prove wrongdoing to dissolve the marriage. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 2310, "irreconcilable differences" is the standard ground, and a court cannot deny a divorce simply because one spouse objects. The couple's public statement that the decision was "made with love and respect" tracks the cooperative posture California courts actively encourage. When parents share a minor child, the legal focus shifts almost entirely to custody and support, where the court applies the best-interest-of-the-child standard. A short, two-year marriage with a young child typically produces a faster, less contested process than a long marriage with substantial commingled assets.
How California Law Handles This
California resolves divorces with minor children through three core legal frameworks: dissolution grounds, custody determination, and child support calculation. First, dissolution requires only the six-month-plus-one-day residency and waiting period under Cal. Fam. Code § 2320 and § 2339; no divorce is final before six months from service of the petition. Second, custody is governed by Cal. Fam. Code § 3011, which directs courts to weigh the child's health, safety, and welfare, along with the nature and amount of contact with both parents. California law expresses a strong public policy under Cal. Fam. Code § 3020 favoring frequent and continuing contact with both parents, which aligns directly with the co-parenting plan Daddario and Form described.
Third, child support follows a mandatory statewide guideline formula under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055. This algebraic formula accounts for both parents' net incomes and the percentage of time each parent has primary physical responsibility for the child. Because both Daddario and Form are working professionals in the entertainment industry, their respective incomes and parenting-time percentages will drive the support figure. California also treats most earnings during marriage as community property under Cal. Fam. Code § 760, dividing community assets equally (50/50) unless the spouses agree otherwise. A two-year marriage generally produces a smaller community estate than a decade-long union, simplifying property division.
Spousal support, by contrast, is far less likely to be substantial here. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4320, courts weigh the marriage's length when setting support, and for marriages under ten years, support typically lasts roughly half the marriage's duration. With two independently successful earners and a short marriage, any spousal support is likely modest or waived entirely.
Practical Takeaways
For California parents navigating a similar separation, these steps reflect how the law actually operates:
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File a parenting plan early. California requires a written parenting plan or stipulation describing custody and visitation. Courts under Cal. Fam. Code § 3011 prefer agreements parents reach themselves over court-imposed orders.
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Calculate support using the guideline. Run your numbers through California's § 4055 formula using the state DissoMaster or the Department of Child Support Services calculator before any negotiation.
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Document community versus separate property. Earnings during marriage are community property under Cal. Fam. Code § 760; inheritances and pre-marriage assets are separate under § 770.
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Expect the six-month minimum. No California divorce finalizes before six months from the date the responding spouse is served, per Cal. Fam. Code § 2339, even when both parties agree on everything.
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Consider mediation. California courts mandate child-custody mediation under Cal. Fam. Code § 3170 when custody is disputed, and voluntary mediation often resolves the entire case faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in California when the couple has a young child?
A California divorce cannot finalize before six months and one day from the date the responding spouse is served, under Cal. Fam. Code § 2339. With a minor child, parents must also complete a parenting plan. Cooperative cases often resolve near that six-month minimum; contested custody can take a year or more.
Does California favor mothers or fathers in custody decisions?
No. California law under Cal. Fam. Code § 3040 prohibits custody preferences based on parental gender. Courts apply the gender-neutral best-interest standard of Cal. Fam. Code § 3011, weighing each parent's relationship with the child, stability, and ability to provide care.
How is child support calculated in California?
California uses a mandatory guideline formula under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055. The calculation factors in both parents' net monthly incomes and the percentage of time each parent has the child. The formula is presumptively correct, and courts rarely deviate without specific written findings.
Will a two-year marriage result in spousal support in California?
Rarely substantial. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4320, marriage length is a key factor, and marriages under ten years generally yield support lasting about half the marriage's duration. With two high earners and only two years married, spousal support is often minimal or waived.
Is California a community property state?
Yes. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 760, assets and income acquired during marriage are community property and divided equally (50/50) at divorce. Property owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance is separate property under Cal. Fam. Code § 770.
Need Guidance on Your Own Case?
If you are facing a separation involving children in California, understanding the guideline support formula and the best-interest custody standard early can save months of conflict. Connecting with an experienced California family law attorney can help you build a parenting plan that holds up in court.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.