Out of all of the undesirable effects a divorce may have on a person’s life, its financial impact may be not only one of the most challenging but also one of the most immediately perceived. For example, according to one source, some individuals may need an income increase of as much as 30% in order to maintain the same lifestyle and standard of living after the divorce. Additionally, statistics show that 20% of divorcing women fall into poverty as a result of a divorce while divorcing men experience a drop in their standard of living of up to 40%.
California family law both recognizes that divorce may produce financial hardship and takes measures to prevent it. Spousal support – called partner support in the case of divorcing domestic partners – refers to a certain amount of money one spouse or domestic partner is ordered by the court to pay the other for a certain time. In this article, we will provide a brief overview of 3 factors California courts consider when determining spousal support.
When calculating the amount of spousal support at the end of a divorce or separation case, a judge won’t use a fixed formula. Rather, the exact amount will be influenced by a number of factors, the most important of which include:
As mentioned, spousal support isn’t ordered automatically. In fact, it is up to the sole discretion of the judge whether you will be given spousal support at the end of your divorce case or not. That’s why you need someone to represent your financial interests before the court in order to ensure a fair and satisfactory amount of spousal support that will help you cover your financial needs after your divorce. If you would like to know how exactly one of our attorneys can help you obtain spousal support, feel free to reach out to us and schedule a free consultation.
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