San Francisco Spousal Support Lawyers
Divorce courts honor the commitment a couple once shared during marriage by ensuring both spouses are financially secure. Just because a marriage does not work out does not mean that one spouse suddenly needs to scramble to find ways just to maintain the same standard of living he/she experienced during the marriage. If you are going through a divorce, it’s to your advantage to understand spousal support laws and how they apply to your case.
Spousal support, also called alimony, refers monetary payments from one spouse to the other after a divorce. Spousal support can be paid monthly, or in one lump sum right after a divorce is finalized. In some cases spousal support is only paid until the dependant spouse is able to become financially self-sufficient, where in other cases spousal support is paid indefinitely.
How Does a Judge Decide Spousal Support?
If you and your spouse are able to reach a mutual agreement in regards to spousal support, the court will honor and uphold your arrangement. However, if you cannot amicably come to an agreement, the judge will decide for you. Unlike child support where there is a set formula, no such formula exists for determining spousal support. The judge will review your case and base his/her decision upon the dynamic of the marriage. In general, the judge will consider the following factors when trying to come up with a reasonable spousal support arrangement:
- The duration of the marriage
- Each spouse’s income
- If one spouse stayed home to raise children
- Each spouse’s ability to earn an income
- The standard of living shared by the couple during the marriage
- How marital property was divided
- Each spouse’s age and health
Contact a San Francisco Spousal Support Attorney
Determining a spousal support arrangement that is fair to both parties can be very difficult. If you are going through the divorce process and need help deciding upon the terms of spousal support, our San Francisco spousal support attorneys can review your case, explain your rights, and discuss viable options based on your specific needs and lifestyle. We want to make sure you have the financial resources you need to maintain the same standard of living you once had when you were married. If your ex is seeking spousal support from you, we can protect your rights and make sure he/she is not requesting an unreasonable amount. Regardless of which side of the table you’re on, we can make sure your case is resolved in a way that serves your needs and best interest.
In addition, we also represent people wishing to modify or change the terms of their spousal support arrangement. There are many circumstances that could require someone to suddenly change the amount they are paying or receiving in spousal support, such as an unexpected job loss, sudden illness or disability, family emergency, etc. We can help you file for a modification and argue your case before the judge.
Contact a San Francisco Spousal Support Lawyer today!