Are you facing questions about alimony during or after a divorce in Pasadena, California? A Pasadena alimony lawyer at The Graves Law Firm can explain your rights, evaluate your financial circumstances, and help you pursue a fair outcome. Call the firm today at (626) 365-1037 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Alimony, also called spousal support in California, can become one of the most disputed parts of a divorce. The amount and duration of support can affect both spouses for years. Understanding how California courts approach spousal support can help you prepare for negotiations or court proceedings.
How Can The Graves Law Firm Help With Alimony in Pasadena, CA?
Spousal support cases can involve income, expenses, property, earning ability, and the history of the marriage. At the Graves Law Firm, our Pasadena divorce attorney has 20 years of experience in family law and can help you understand how these issues may affect your case.
If you hire us, we can:
- Review your income, expenses, assets, and debts
- Evaluate factors that may affect spousal support
- Gather financial records and other evidence
- Address disputes about income or earning capacity
- Negotiate spousal support terms
- Request or challenge temporary support
- Seek a modification when circumstances change
- Present your position in court when necessary
Whether you expect to pay or receive support, our team can help you understand your options. Contact our Pasadena family lawyer today to schedule a confidential consultation.
What Is Alimony in California?
Alimony is financial support that one spouse may pay to the other during or after a divorce or legal separation. California law generally refers to alimony as spousal support.
Spousal support is not automatically awarded in every divorce. Whether support is appropriate depends on the circumstances of the marriage and the spouses. The court may also need to decide how much should be paid and how long payments should continue.
The purpose and calculation of support can also differ depending on whether the court is considering temporary support while a case is pending or longer-term support when the divorce is resolved.
What Is the Difference Between Temporary and Long-Term Spousal Support?
Temporary spousal support may be ordered while a divorce or legal separation case is pending. Its purpose is generally to help address the spouses’ financial needs until the court reaches a final resolution.
Courts may use guideline calculations when considering temporary spousal support in Los Angeles County. However, those calculations do not control an award of post-judgment spousal support.
When determining longer-term support, California courts consider factors listed in state law. These include each spouse’s needs and earning capacity, the length of the marriage, the marital standard of living, and other circumstances.
How Do California Courts Determine Alimony?
California Family Code Section 4320 identifies factors courts must consider when determining post-judgment spousal support. There is no single formula that decides every case.
Relevant factors include:
- Each spouse’s earning capacity
- The marital standard of living
- The supporting spouse’s ability to pay
- Each spouse’s needs
- The spouses’ assets and obligations
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s age and health
- Contributions to the other spouse’s education or career
- Documented evidence of domestic violence
- Tax consequences
- The balance of hardships
Courts may also consider other factors they find just and equitable. The importance of each factor depends on the facts of the marriage.
How Long Does Alimony Last in California?
There is no single duration for every California spousal support order. The length of the marriage is an important consideration.
For marriages lasting less than 10 years, California law generally states that a reasonable period for a supported spouse to become self-supporting is one-half the length of the marriage. However, the court has discretion based on the circumstances of the case.
A marriage lasting 10 years or more is generally considered a marriage of long duration. This does not mean support must continue forever. Instead, the court generally retains jurisdiction over spousal support unless otherwise provided by law or agreement.
The facts of the case ultimately determine how long support may remain appropriate.
Does Adultery Affect Alimony in California?
California is a no-fault divorce state. In general, adultery does not determine whether a spouse receives alimony. Courts focus on the statutory spousal support factors rather than punishing a spouse for marital misconduct.
However, certain conduct can affect support. For example, California law requires courts to consider documented evidence of domestic violence when deciding spousal support.
Financial conduct may also become relevant for other reasons during a divorce. If a spouse improperly uses marital assets, for example, that issue may affect other financial parts of the case even if it does not determine alimony based on marital fault.
Can Spousal Support Be Modified in California?
A spousal support order may sometimes be changed when circumstances have materially changed. For example, a significant change in either spouse’s income, employment, or financial needs could support a request for modification.
However, the terms of the original order or agreement matter. Some spousal support agreements limit or prevent future modification. A spouse should not simply reduce or stop court-ordered payments because circumstances have changed. The existing order generally remains in effect unless it is modified or terminated.
Contact Our Pasadena Alimony Lawyer Today for a Confidential Consultation
Spousal support can affect your financial stability long after a marriage ends. Whether you are seeking support, being asked to pay it, or dealing with an existing order, understanding how California law applies to your circumstances can help you make informed decisions.
The Graves Law Firm represents clients facing alimony and other family law matters in Pasadena, CA. Contact the firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with a Pasadena alimony attorney and discuss your legal options.