There are few things more complicated than divorce. Often, alimony is a central concern for financially dependent spouses who require such payments to retain their standard of living until they can become financially independent. Please continue reading and reach out to our knowledgeable Los Angeles divorce attorneys to learn more about alimony in the state of California and how our firm can assist you through every step of the legal process ahead. Here are some of the questions you may have:
How do courts determine alimony payments in California?
Courts consider a wide array of factors when determining alimony payments, though they will primarily consider the duration of the given marriage and which spouse is financially independent. In most cases, the longer a marriage, the longer the duration of alimony will be, however, there is no such thing as permanent alimony. Some of the factors that courts will consider when determining alimony agreements in the state of California are as follows:
- Both spouses’ age and health
- Both spouses’ yearly salaries
- Both spouses’ earning potential
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- Whether there are children involved
These are just some of the additional factors that courts will consider when determining alimony payments, and you should keep in mind that they will consider any other factor that they deem relevant.
What can I do if I want to change my alimony agreement in California?
If you are looking to modify your alimony agreement in the months or years after your initial divorce settlement was reached, in many cases, you may do so, as long as you get the help of a knowledgeable California divorce attorney. Our firm can work to prove that there has been a significant and continuing change in circumstances, thereby warranting an increase or decrease in your initial alimony agreement. Some examples of such circumstances are as follows:
- One spouse gets a higher paying job
- One spouse gets fired or demoted
- One spouse develops a medical condition that requires costly medical treatment
- One spouse receives a large inheritance
- One spouse remarries or is cohabitating with a new person
If you have any additional questions about alimony in California, please do not hesitate to reach out to our firm. We are here to help you, no matter which stage of the process you are in.
Contact our experienced Los Angeles firm
Divorce and family law issues are notoriously complicated and personal, which is why you must hire an attorney with years of experience, as well as the compassion and skill needed to handle these sensitive matters. For the qualified, dedicated legal representation you and your family deserve and need, contact Zitser Family Law Group, APC today.
