Experienced Spousal Support Attorney in Riverside, California
Law Firm Specializing in Spousal Support in the Inland Empire of Southern California
Spousal support, or alimony, is an amount ordered or agreed upon paid from one spouse to another in a legal separation, dissolution of domestic partnership, or divorce matter. Spousal support is generally intended to help an economically disadvantaged spouse (i.e. the spouse with a lower income) continue to enjoy a similar standard of living after the marriage ends. In the majority of cases, the spouse who earns a higher income is ordered to pay spousal support to the other spouse. Whether you are seeking spousal support or you think you may be ordered to pay spousal support, our Riverside spousal support lawyers can represent your best interests in the courts so you get a fair judgment.
Spousal support is not a right, nor is it guaranteed. It is not intended to punish a spouse for perceived misbehavior during the marriage or after separation, nor is it a reward or consolation prize for having tolerated perceived maltreatment during the marriage or after separation because California is a no-fault state.
California law provides for two distinct kinds of spousal support: temporary and permanent.
Temporary Spousal Support in California
- Temporary Spousal Support or pendente lite (meaning “pending the litigation”) support, is paid when appropriate until a complete Marital Settlement Agreement is reached, or until a Final Order of Divorce is entered.
In some situations, the family court may grant temporary spousal support to be paid while the divorce case is being resolved or litigated. Temporary spousal support orders are subject to California Family Code 3600 and generally have nothing to do with the length of the marriage (except in unusual circumstances where the length of the marriage is extremely short).
California Family Code 3600:
During the pendency of any proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for legal separation of the parties or under Division 8 (commencing with Section 3000) (custody of children) or in any proceeding where there is at issue the support of a minor child or a child for whom support is authorized under Section 3901 or 3910 , the court may order (a) either spouse to pay any amount that is necessary for the support of the other spouse, consistent with the requirements of subdivisions (i) and (m) of Section 4320 and Section 4325 , or (b) either or both parents to pay any amount necessary for the support of the child, as the case may be.
Divorce cases can take years to become finalized and in appropriate circumstances, a temporary spousal support order “is utilized to maintain the living conditions and standards of the parties in as close to the status quo position as possible pending trial and the division of their assets and obligations.” In re Marriage of Burlini (1983) 143 Cal. App. 3d 65, 68 (see also In re Marriage of McNaughton (1983) 145 Cal. App. 3d 845, 849).
Temporary support is intended “to assure a spouse substantially the same living conditions to which he or she has been accustomed pending final judgment.” Hogoboom & King, Cal. Practice Guide: Family Law 1 (The Rutter Group 1992) § 5:7.4, p. 5-6.
Permanent Spousal Support in California
- Permanent Spousal Support or post-judgment spousal support, is support for an indefinite period of time in an amount that could be later modified if and when the circumstances change for either the payer or recipient of support.
Permanent spousal support provides financial assistance, if appropriate, as determined by the financial circumstances of the parties after their dissolution and the division of their community property.
When determining the final amount of spousal support, California family courts must consider the factors in Family Code Section 4320. These factors include:
- The length of the marriage
- The needs of each spouse based on the standard of living they had during their marriage
- The earnings of each spouse (and sometimes, the earning capacity of one or both spouses)
- Whether a job would make it difficult to care for any children of the marriage
- Age of both spouses
- Health of both spouses
- Debts and assets of both spouses
- Whether one spouse was directly responsible for helping another spouse obtain education, training, or a professional license
- Instances of domestic violence between the spouses
- Whether one spouse’s career was impacted by periods of unemployment resulting from taking care of children of the marriage
- Tax impact of spousal support, if any
- Marketable skills of each spouse
- And any other factors the court deems fair and just under the circumstances
California law makes provisions for ensuring spouses are not left destitute by a divorce in cases where they can demonstrate that they were financially dependent on their spouse.
Spousal Support Termination and Modification
In California, spousal support is automatically terminated upon death or remarriage of the supported party. If there is a major change in the financial situation of either party, the court can make modifications to the support order as well.
Spousal support is subject to review if the circumstances have changed enough to warrant a change in support. This occurs in some cases when the parties’ minor child reaches the age of majority and leaves the home, child support terminates, child custody is modified in some substantial way, one of the parties loses his or her job, etc.
Enforcing and Changing Spousal Support
Once a court orders a spouse to pay spousal support or alimony, he or she must comply with the court’s instructions. Failure to pay spousal support is considered a violation of a court order and can have serious legal consequences. If the court determines that a spouse is able to pay support but fails to do so, the court can hold the spouse in “contempt of court” and a warrant could be issued for his or her arrest. This is often used as last resort, when all other enforcement tools have failed.
If a spouse’s financial situation changes, he or she loses their job, or the spouse receiving the support no longer needs it, either party can ask the court to change the spousal support order. However, a support order does not disappear or change unless the terms of the order provides for such, or the court makes an order modifying the terms of the order.
Riverside Spousal Support Attorneys Combining Knowledge & Skill With Compassion & Dedication
Our experience inside and outside of the courtroom allows us to consistently deliver exceptional results for the spouses we represent.
Our Riverside spousal support attorneys will advise you every step of the way so that the process feels less confusing and frustrating from beginning to end. We provide representation for parties seeking to secure spousal support or who are faced with unmanageable spousal support obligations.
Contact Our Experienced Riverside, California Spousal Support Attorneys Now
Spouses can rely on the experience of our Riverside spousal support attorneys in obtaining, modifying, and terminating spousal support orders and agreements. Our Southern California family law firm fights hard to make the legal system work for our clients. Contact our accomplished and dedicated Riverside child custody lawyers today by calling (909) 966-5245 to learn how our experienced custody attorney, Ronald B. Talkov, can guide you through the court process in a prompt and clear manner.