Mission Viejo Spousal Support Payments

Mission Viejo Spousal Support Attorneys

Alimony is an obligation that one spouse has to support their ex-spouse financially after divorce. Determining who will be responsible and who will be the beneficiary of the support can be a difficult process as there are many factors to consider in this case.

Some of the many factors that will be considered in determining who will be the beneficiary of support and calculating the support payments include the following:

• How sufficient the individual's current income is to support themselves
• The extent to which the supported individual contributed to the attainment of a career, training, education or license by the supporting individual
• The ability of the supporting individual to make spousal support payments
• The financial needs of each party
• The assets and liabilities of each party
• The duration of the marriage
• The age and health of each party
• Evidence of domestic violence
• Tax consequences to each party for these support payments
• The hardships to each party

In addition to these factors there are others that are considered, and there are some factors that the court may determine just and equitable to be considered for spousal support. Whether you are the beneficiary or the spouse responsible to make spousal support payments, you may be wondering how long the support must go on for. The general rule in California is that if the marriage lasted less than 10 years then the spousal support payments will be made for half of the total time that the marriage lasted. At our firm, we also know that financial situations may change throughout the duration of a spousal support payment order. In these cases, sometimes it is fitting to request spousal support modification.

What Is Alimony?

Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is a financial arrangement that may be ordered by a court as part of a divorce or separation proceeding. It involves one spouse making regular payments to the other spouse to provide financial support after the end of the marriage. The purpose of alimony is to help the lower-earning or financially dependent spouse maintain a standard of living similar to what they enjoyed during the marriage. Here are some key points about alimony:

• Financial Support: Alimony is intended to provide financial support to a spouse who may not have the means to support themselves adequately after the divorce. This can be due to factors such as a significant income disparity between the spouses or one spouse having been economically dependent on the other.
• Determining Eligibility: Eligibility for alimony is determined by various factors, including the duration of the marriage, each spouse's financial needs and resources, their contributions to the marriage, and any other relevant circumstances. Courts will consider these factors when deciding whether alimony is appropriate.
• Types of Alimony: There are different types of alimony, including temporary (or pendente lite) alimony, rehabilitative alimony, permanent alimony, and reimbursement alimony. The specific type and amount of alimony can vary depending on the circumstances of the case.
• Duration: The duration of alimony payments can be temporary (short-term), lasting for a specific period to allow the recipient spouse to become financially self-sufficient, or it can be long-term or indefinite, particularly in cases of long-term marriages.
• Modification: Alimony orders may be modified or terminated if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in income, cohabitation, remarriage of the recipient spouse, or the death of either party.
• Tax Implications: Tax laws regarding alimony payments have changed in some jurisdictions. In the United States, for example, alimony payments made pursuant to divorce or separation agreements executed after December 31, 2018, are no longer deductible by the paying spouse or considered taxable income for the recipient spouse.
• Legal Agreements: Alimony can be determined through a court order or can be agreed upon by the divorcing spouses in a marital settlement agreement. Such agreements outline the terms and conditions of alimony payments.

It's important to note that alimony laws and regulations can vary significantly by jurisdiction, so it's essential to consult with a family law attorney who is knowledgeable about the specific laws in your area if you are seeking or contesting alimony as part of a divorce or separation.

How Long Does Spousal Support Last in CA?

While there isn't a standard duration for all spousal support cases, the general rule is that it will last half the length of a marriage that existed for 10 years or less. For example, if your marriage lasted six years, then the support will last three. If the marriage extends beyond 10 years, then the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the spouse that is making the payments to inform the courts that support isn't necessary anymore. This may be because the receiving spouse is able to be self-sufficient.

How can our Orange County law firm help you?

Are you searching for an attorney for a spousal support case in Mission Viejo, California? The Hunter Law Group has over 30 combined years of experience handling divorce and family law. If you are making spousal support payments or if you are supposed to receive spousal support payments then our firm can help you to enforce these rights, modify these arrangements and we can help in the case that you are trying to establish these issues. Do not hesitate to contact our firm for legal representation and for assistance in determining the best action for you to take. Confidential case evaluations available.