{"id":2055,"date":"2021-10-29T07:53:09","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T07:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/?page_id=2055"},"modified":"2023-01-16T02:41:25","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T02:41:25","slug":"family-law-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/family-law\/family-law-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Family Law Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2055\" class=\"elementor elementor-2055\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9dbd4a2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9dbd4a2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-af0fb5b\" data-id=\"af0fb5b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c37797 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c37797\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 25-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Spousal Support & Alimony FAQ<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a614e30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a614e30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 25-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\tIf you are considering\u00a0<a href=\"\/family-law\/divorce\/\">divorce<\/a>\u00a0or have a complicated legal matter involving the family, turn to our Atascaedro lawyers for sound, legal counsel.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aabe610 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aabe610\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a9a4454\" data-id=\"a9a4454\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a212cb3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a212cb3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-53a586c\" data-id=\"53a586c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43100d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"43100d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf your question was not answered here,\u00a0<a href=\"\/contact-us\/\">contact the 805 Law Group<\/a>.\nCall\u00a0(805) 466-4800.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cea337 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9cea337\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Which party generally pays spousal support in a divorce?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abdc0a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"abdc0a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn California, they determine who the supporting and supported party is. It does not matter whether you are a male or female, the court determines whom the supporting party is by the person who makes the most income. Once they have determined that, then they can determine the amount.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0196a7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0196a7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Is alimony or spousal support always awarded in a divorce case?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa01a2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa01a2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo, alimony or spousal support is not always awarded a\u00a0<a href=\"\/family-law\/divorce\/\">divorce\u00a0<\/a>case. In California, we look at the incomes of the given individuals. Usually, when you have two parties making similar incomes, spousal support will not be awarded, but oftentimes you will see that one party has earned more than the other has. When one party earns substantially more, the <a href=\"\/videos\/can-i-get-the-court-to-order-a-drug-test-on-the-other-parent\/\">court will order<\/a> spousal support to be paid by the supporting party to the supported party.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec2daff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ec2daff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When does alimony or spousal support actually begin?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9650f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9650f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSpousal support starts upon the award of the first temporary spousal support court order. The courts gain jurisdiction when the parties file the first request for spousal support. The court can order spousal support to be paid retroactively up until the filing of the original petition for the dissolution of marriage. Therefore, once that court has that issue, they can make that spousal support award. The court has the discretion to award it at any time from the time that the petition for dissolution of marriage is filed up until any date on, or about the hearing date that the spousal support request for an order is heard for the first time. Parties can get spousal support during a period of separation. They do need to file for that. It is always better to file earlier rather than later. If you are seeking spousal support, the court will have the ability to award you spousal support even retroactively.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ebd3fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0ebd3fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How long does spousal support typically last?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff5eff6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff5eff6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The court usually looks at the term of marriage and decides how long spousal support will last. If it is over ten years, permanent spousal support is usually awarded. That means there is no definitive date in which the court will terminate spousal support.<\/p>\n<p>You may wish to consider a Gavron warning. Gavron warnings are court-issued warnings that alert the spouse receiving spousal support payments that they should soon prepare to become self-supporting. In short, the spouse should make substantial efforts to become self-supportive. Otherwise, the courts can decide to terminate spousal support.<\/p>\n<p>That is one important element to observe when you are determining spousal support, and receiving orders whether those are temporary or permanent orders. If this is a statutory long-term marriage, you could well indeed pay spousal support indefinitely until the death of either party or the remarriage of the supported party. However, in shorter term marriages, the courts will often make that a determinant date that the support does end. For instance, if it were a four-year marriage, you often see a permanent spousal support award of two years. That includes the temporary spousal support period that you are in.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96790a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"96790a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can the amount of the spousal support award ever be changed?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb6cbff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb6cbff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There are different times when spousal support can be changed. One is temporary spousal support. When there is a change, if a party loses a job, has a change in income, or another party gets a job and this is before the date of trial, you can file a request for an order, and ask for a change in spousal support based on these new circumstances. The court will make those determinations if it is before trial. It will be based on those temporary situations, and it will be based on the Santa Clara Temporary support spousal guidelines in most counties. Other counties have similar codes, but different calculations in determining temporary spousal support.<\/p>\n<p>Once you go to trial and have a permanent spousal support order that is based on the Family code Section 4320 factor, and then the courts find that there was a change in circumstance and that change of circumstances can vary. If a party loses their job or is in an accident that affects their income, if one party gains employment that pays substantially more, these can factor changes in the circumstances. Additionally, retirement is a change in circumstances that will quite often affect a change in spousal support, but once it is a permanent spousal support award, it is important to note that you have to prove change in circumstances before you can get in to argue the case, and show the court what those new and changed circumstances are.<\/p>\n<p>Quite often we will see that folks are not following the Gavron warning, and will bring in a request order based on the fact that the supported party is not making good faith attempts to become self-supporting, and had the opportunity to do so. This is why it is very important to work with a great attorney who understands the situation and can present your case in court in order to save you a substantial amount of spousal support, or help you retain that spousal support amount if someone is trying to attempt to terminate your spousal support.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0780c11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0780c11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">If one of the spouses commits adultery does it affect alimony or spousal support in California?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbc694d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bbc694d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo, adultery has no bearing with alimony or spousal support. California is a no-fault divorce state. It does not matter who did what to whom. No matter whether it is adultery, or any other circumstances, the only cause for divorce in California is irreconcilable differences or incurable insanity. Spousal support does not consider those factors either, only the temporary spousal support award or the permanent award of spousal support applies.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c264bb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c264bb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are my rights if my ex fails to pay my spousal support?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b4d3cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b4d3cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen an ex-spouse has not paid spousal support, there are different remedies that a party can take in order to get relief. The party should look at a wage assignment, additionally; one can go back to court and ask for attorney fees, and costs, as well as the spousal support arrears that are owed in the matter. It is important to consult with counsel, look at all the options, and understand what the facts are, so you can get maximum results when addressing the issue of ones\u2019 party\u2019s lack of paying spousal support.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab4b9a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab4b9a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Additional Information About Spousal Support in California<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1be4e21 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1be4e21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt is very important that people understand income. They need to correctly categorize income in order to maximize results before heading into court on either a temporary or permanent spousal support award hearing. Income should not be confused with assets as well. Special expenses will get special treatment in California. A person should carefully look at their healthcare, healthcare insurance, healthcare expenses, property taxes, what the other party is paying for property taxes as well as mandatory retirement contributions, and how their particular situation is taxed. These factors all come into play whether it is temporary spousal support or permanent award of spousal support. Understanding income and knowing how to present that to court will certainly maximize someone\u2019s results when seeking an award of spousal support from the California Superior Court.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dd0c1c2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dd0c1c2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-37fd5a7\" data-id=\"37fd5a7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a81d72c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a81d72c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c55a5b2\" data-id=\"c55a5b2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8b5c74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c8b5c74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you have more questions regarding a family law matter,\u00a0<a href=\"\/contact-us\/\">contact the 805 Law Group<\/a>.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spousal Support &#038; Alimony FAQ If you are considering\u00a0divorce\u00a0or have a complicated legal matter involving the family, turn to our Atascaedro lawyers for sound, legal counsel.If your question was not answered here,\u00a0contact the 805 Law Group. Call\u00a0(805) 466-4800. Which party generally pays spousal support in a divorce? In California, they determine who the supporting and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":32,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2055"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2055"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6363,"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2055\/revisions\/6363"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atownlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}