DIVORCE FAQ #10 10. What is spousal support? Is it the same as alimony? Spousal support is the term for alimony in California. Spousal support is money that one spouse pays to help support the other after the filing of a dissolution. The spouse receiving such support will pay federal and state income taxes on it, and the one making such payments will be entitled to a tax deduction. Consult with a lawyer to make sure the orders are drafted correctly or you may not be entitled to the deduction. To determine the amount of spousal support, the judge will consider such factors as the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and the age, health, earning capacity and job histories of both individuals. If the marriage lasted less than 10 years, it is unlikely that a judge will order spousal support for longer than half the length of the marriage. Perhaps neither of you need spousal support. Since circumstances can change (you could become ill, for example, or lose your job), you may ask the judge to reserve jurisdiction to order spousal support in the future. (The judge will be more likely to do this if your marriage lasted 10 years or close to it.) This will leave the door open so you can ask for such support at a later time. Under certain circumstances, you or your spouse may go back to court and ask the judge to change the amount of support. The judge also can order a wage assignment directing a spouse's employer to pay spousal support. Contact a Family Lawyer at Law Offices of Warren R. Shiell today! Please call to make an appointment at 310.247.9913. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
< HOME © 2009 Warren R. Shiell. All rights reserved. Family Lawyer and Family Law Attorney. The information contained in this website is an "Advertisement." It is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this Website shall be deemed to create an Attorney-Client relationship. An Attorney-Client relationship shall only be created when this office agrees to represent a Client and a Client signs a written retainer agreement. |
PRACTICE AREAS |
RESOURCES |
OFFICE LOCATION 1875 Century Park East, Suite 600 Los Angeles, CA 90067 tel. (310) 247-9913 fax. (310) 276-0313 |