If a married couple gets a divorce, the court may award spousal support or alimony to one. Not to be confused with marital property division, the decision varies from case-to-case.
The main aim of spousal support, also referred to as maintenance, is to reduce unfair financial effects on a spouse who does not have an income, or who earns a wage that is too low to sustain a basic lifestyle. This can happen if one partner decides to stay at home to take care of the couple’s children and needs time to develop job-worthy skills. In either case, regular spousal support can ensure you do not fall onto hard times and can provide for yourself.
In California, the following factors determine whether a spouse receives spousal support or not:
Whether you are the payee spouse or the one who does not think he/she deserves to pay alimony, I can help you with legal support. With years practicing family law, I understand cases such as spousal support can be influenced by a number of factors. That is why before providing legal aid, I do my due diligence by:
The first thing you need to understand about spousal support is that it is gender neutral. In other words, both women and men are eligible to receive it if the court mandates it. The idea is not to enrich one spouse and impoverish the other. The aim is to create a balance that can allow both to retain a lifestyle that is the same before they got divorced.
However, in most cases the court awards spousal support to the lower earning spouse to ensure they can get back on their feet after the divorce.
Divorce can be contentious, especially if spousal support is included. Whether you want your spouse to pay alimony or want to contest a spouse who is asking for it, you need a lawyer who specializes in family law on your side.
This is where the Law Offices of Steve Whitworth can prove invaluable. Contact us to get your FREE alimony consultation. During it we will go over the details of your case and determine a course of action that will be in your best interest. Call (916) 668-5970 today.
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