Fighting for Your Financial Interests During & After Divorce
If you are
considering divorce or you have already filed, it is important to understand your rights and obligations on the matter of spousal support, also known as alimony. This support may be awarded
to either spouse regardless of their gender based on the facts and circumstances of the case. Many factors and considerations go into the decision of whether this support will be granted and, if so,
its amount and duration.
At The Law Offices of
Nadine M. Sayegh, we can assist you in seeking or contesting this support in court or in determining a fair support payment through negotiation or mediation efforts. Our firm can put a
highly-experienced and proficient family law representative on your side; founding attorney Nadine Sayegh is a Certified Family Law Specialist per the California State Bar, giving her “expert” status
in this practice area. We work with clients both during divorce proceedings and thereafter to modify or terminate alimony agreements.
Types of Spousal Support in California
Alimony or spousal support refers to support paid by one spouse to the other. The amount is paid based on one spouse's need and the
ability of the other to pay. This is designed to help spouses who earn less to maintain the standard of lving created before the separation or divorce.
The different types of spousal support that may be granted in California are as follows:
- Temporary. This type of support is paid while the legal process is pending. It is designed to help the
lower-earing spouse with monthly expenses until more permanent alimony has been decided as well as with how marital property and debts will be distributed.
- Rehabilitative. This type of support is paid to a dependent or lesser-earning spouse who needs the financial
resources to gain essential education, training, or job skills to become financially independent. It is often granted in cases where a spouse has stayed home to care for the children and the
household.
- Permanent. This is only granted in cases where a spouse cannot independently finance the lifestyle established during the
marriage. It is usually reserved for spouses who cannot enter or remain in the workforce due to age, illness, or disability. It is generally granted in marriages lasting 10 years or
more.
California also allows for reimbursement support when a spouse has financed the advanced education or training of the other. This support
is designed to help the recipient recover his or her financial contribution. It is based on the concept that the recipient will no longer benefit from the advancement of the other's career or
profession due to the divorce.
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