Can I skimp on the jack stud?
Understand the constraints of the existing framing. I'd have probably kept the new vertical 2x4 you added 3.5&quot; shorter (along with the plywood spacer you added), and made the header stick out 3.5&quot; on that side to rest on top of that new 2x4. You'd essentially be using the existing vertical 2x4 as the king stud and your new 2x4 as the jack stud, just oriented differently than normal. This would at least give the header a solid piece to rest on, rather than relying on the sheer strength of the nails/screws you used to remain in the proper position. This is referred to as a &quot;lap&quot; joint.