Placer County Family Attorneys Fight for Clients’ Rights in Spousal Support Cases
Accomplished Roseville lawyers assist with all types of alimony issues
Over the course of a marriage, one spouse might serve as the primary breadwinner while the other takes care of the household. Both roles are vital, but if the marriage ends, a husband or wife who has been out of the workforce for an extended period could have difficulty meeting their basic needs. In these cases, spousal support, also known as alimony, is critical to bridge the financial gap. At Patrick Law Corp in Roseville, we are accomplished family law attorneys with a reputation for providing exceptional advice and advocacy to Sacramento Valley clients. If you believe that you are entitled to payments now that you no longer have access to your spouse’s income or if you’re being asked to pay alimony, we’ll assert your rights and press for an appropriate outcome.
Types of spousal support available under California law
We review the relevant circumstances and help clients understand what type of alimony order could be entered in their case. Several different types of spousal support exist under California law, such as:
- Temporary — The divorce process can run for many months, or even years. Courts frequently order temporary alimony to be provided so that a party who relied on their spouse for financial support does not face hardship while the legal proceeding is pending. These determinations are usually based on a state formula.
- Rehabilitative — Typically, spousal support is designed so that a stay-at-home husband or wife can rehabilitate their earning potential. Our firm reviews the relevant circumstances closely and presses for a result that accurately reflects how long this process should take.
- Reimbursement — In situations where a recipient spouse requires additional education or job training to support themselves, a paying spouse might be ordered to reimburse tuition costs or similar expenses.
- Permanent — Unless a compelling reason exists, courts are reluctant to establish permanent alimony arrangements. However, if a marriage lasted for at least 10 years and a party seeking spousal support is unable to take a suitable job due to age, disability or a special child care responsibility, payments could be awarded for an indefinite period.
Our accomplished family law attorneys represent parties on both sides of spousal support issues in Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, Nevada, El Dorado, Yuba, Solano and Sutter counties.
Factors that might be used when an alimony case goes to court
Often, it’s preferable for divorcing spouses to find consensus regarding spousal support terms. Unfortunately, this is not always possible and your alimony dispute might be placed in the hands of a family court judge. California law provides numerous factors that are to be considered during these determinations, such as the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, the age and health of the parties and the support payment required for a recipient to maintain their standard of living. Typically, adultery and other types of marital misconduct are not evaluated as part of this calculation, but if a husband or wife used substantial assets to carry on an affair, that could affect the spousal support order. Working with an experienced family attorney gives you the ability to understand the key factors and present a strong argument in court, if necessary.
Contact a California divorce lawyer for a free consultation regarding spousal support
Patrick Law Corp handles disputes over spousal support and other aspects of the California divorce process for clients throughout the Sacramento Valley. To make an appointment for a free consultation, please call 916-226-6062 or contact us online. Our office is in Roseville.
