If you are about to go through a divorce and are concerned about either paying or receiving spousal support, also known as alimony, you will need the assistance of an experienced family law attorney. One of the most complex aspects of the divorce process is determining the appropriate level of spousal support. At the Law Offices of Anat Resnik, we can assist you through this process as contentious battles routinely occur over proper amounts of spousal support.
Spousal Support Calculations
During the duration of a divorce action, one spouse may be ordered to pay the other spouse temporary spousal support. The right to spousal support is gender neutral; both husbands and wives are entitled to spousal support depending on their financial circumstances. The purpose of temporary spousal support, or alimony, is to provide the spouse seeking support with sufficient income for their basic needs and to ensure that their lifestyle will be able to remain consistent after the divorce.
Upon conclusion of the divorce action, the Court may award permanent spousal support. A permanent spousal support award is made on the basis of several factors, including but not limited to: each party’s income and earnings; earning capacity; age and health of the parties; obligations and assets of each party; duration of the marriage; needs of each party based on the standard of living established during the marriage; education, job skills or occupation of each party, and other factors that the Court deems relevant and equitable.
Duration of Spousal Support
The duration of spousal supposal is closely linked to the length of the marriage. The goal is for the supported spouse to eventually become self-supporting within a reasonable period of time, which is generally determined to be one-half of the length of the marriage, in marriage of less than ten years in duration. Typically, in marriages of of long duration, i.e., 10 years or longer, the right to permanent spousal support will continue until the supported spouse dies or remarries, absent certain exceptions.
Call or contact the Law Offices of Anat Resnik for an understanding of California spousal support laws as they relate to you
For an experienced, skilled legal advocate to advise you on the nuances of California spousal support law, contact the Law Offices of Anat Resnik to schedule a free initial consultation with a spousal support lawyer. – Spousal Support Attorney Encino CA