When you and your spouse decide the marriage is no longer working, one of the most stressful times is splitting your finances. Additionally, if you are financially dependent on your spouse, you may worry about how you will sustain the standard of living you’re used to. If you are getting alimony from a spouse, understanding the steps to determine how the courts will calculate your payments is critical. Luckily, the following blog explores the different factors and considerations you should know if you are going through a divorce. Additionally, you’ll discover how Los Angeles spousal support attorneys can assist you through this process.
What Factors Will the Courts Consider to Calculate Alimony Payments?
There are a number of factors the courts will take into consideration when determining how much the payments will be. It’s essential to understand that payments are not one-size-fits-all. Because each couple, their needs, and their finances are different, each alimony award will vary.
As these payments vary based on each couple, the courts will consider the following factors:
- Each spouse’s age
- The earning capacity of each spouse
- The length of the marriage
- The health of each spouse
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The tax consequences of alimony
- Whether or not you put your career on hold to support your spouse
It’s important to note that California is a no-fault divorce state. This means that, unlike other states in which factors like infidelity or abandonment will have an impact on divorce, this is not the case in California. As such, if your spouse was unfaithful to you, this will not impact how much alimony you are awarded.
What Should I Know About the Alimony Process?
If you are going through a divorce and have requested alimony, it’s essential to understand that this is not supposed to be a primary source of income for the receiving spouse. Instead, it serves to help supplement the income of the spouse who was dependent. That’s why many orders only last for a certain period of time before the spousal support obligation expires. Though it’s referred to as “permanent alimony,” it does not last indefinitely, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Additionally, you should know that if you remarry or move in with a new domestic partner, your spouse will no longer have to pay alimony to you. However, they must petition the court before they can stop paying their court-ordered spousal obligations.
As you can see, there are many factors that can influence the amount you receive from your spouse and considerations you must make when it comes to alimony. That’s why it’s in your best interest to enlist the assistance of an experienced attorney to assist you during these challenging times. At the Zitser Family Law Group, our team has the experience you need to help you receive the funds you are entitled to during your divorce. While you heal from the emotional aspects of divorce, our team can help handle the legal matters. Call today to discuss the details of your divorce with a member of our dedicated firm.
