Divorce brings up many financial questions, and one of the most common is whether alimony will be involved. Alimony, also known as spousal support, is designed to provide financial assistance to the lower-earning spouse to help them maintain a standard of living like what they had during the marriage. But not everyone qualifies for alimony. If you’re wondering whether your spouse will have to pay you alimony, keep reading to learn about the factors that influence the court’s decision and why it’s essential to consult an experienced alimony attorney in Alto Loma CA.
Alimony Isn’t Automatic
Just because you’re going through a divorce doesn’t automatically mean your spouse will have to pay you alimony. The court looks at several key factors to determine whether alimony is appropriate. These factors include the length of your marriage, the income and earning capacity of both spouses, and your financial needs. The goal of alimony is to prevent a significant disparity in financial status after the divorce, but the court will only award alimony if it’s deemed necessary.
Factors the Court Considers When Awarding Alimony
Several factors come into play when the court decides whether to award alimony, including:
- Length of the marriage
- Standard of living while married
- Earning capacity of the spouse requesting support
- Other spouse’s ability to pay support
- Age and health of both spouses
- Division of assets and debts
- Custody arrangements for any children
- Any history of domestic violence
- Existence of any prenuptial agreement
As you can see, there are many factors that the courts consider when awarding alimony in California.
Types of Alimony You Could Receive
In California, there are different types of alimony that may apply depending on your situation:
- Temporary Alimony: Awarded during the divorce proceedings to help the lower-earning spouse maintain their financial stability until the divorce is finalized.
- Rehabilitative Alimony: Designed to provide support for a limited time while the recipient spouse gains the education or training needed to become self-sufficient.
- Permanent Alimony: Less common but may be awarded in long-term marriages where one spouse may never be able to achieve financial independence.
- Transitional Alimony: Typically made as a one-time payment to help one spouse cover the expenses of transitioning to a separate life.
Which type of alimony might be right for your situation depends on many factors, but an experienced alimony attorney in Alto Loma CA can help!
How an Alimony Attorney in Alto Loma CA Can Help
Determining whether you are entitled to alimony, and if so, how much and for how long, can be a complicated process. A skilled alimony attorney in Alto Loma CA can help you navigate this process and represent your interests in court. At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP, we have 30 years of experience helping our clients achieve the best possible outcomes in their alimony cases. Contact us today at 909-482-1422 to schedule a consultation and learn how we can assist you in securing a fair alimony arrangement.
To learn more about the reliable and quality family law services that we offer, visit us on the web.