When a marriage is dissolved, one of the most important parts of the process can be the determination of spousal support. Unlike child support, spousal support, also known as alimony, is at the sole discretion of the court and the judge may decide to order one spouse to pay the other money each month. The amount of time that the spouse will be required to pay spousal support is usually calculated based on the length of the marriage. For marriages that lasted less than 10 years, the spousal support may last about one-half of the marriage (3 years of support for a 6 year marriage, etc).
WHAT AFFECTS SPOUSAL SUPPORT?
The amount of support is determined by taking into account things like marketable skills of the spouse to be supported, the standard of living experienced during the time of the marriage, the length of the marriage, the age and overall health of both spouses and more. When going through a divorce, it is important to have the representation of a knowledgeable attorney to help ensure spousal support is given the utmost attention. Mansouri Law Offices is experienced in all aspects of family law and can guide you through the process.
MODIFYING AN EXISTING ORDER
Once spousal support has been established, there can be factors later on that could require a change or modification to the original order. For instance, if the supporting person experiences a loss of a job or a medical emergency, they could ask for a modification of spousal support. The supported person could also request for a modification if their living or working situation changes.
Even if you and your ex-spouse are able to come to an agreement, you will want to enlist the help of a lawyer to get the proper documents filed and a judge’s approval. Failure to do so could have serious consequences if one party chooses not to adhere to the new terms. Protect yourself by contacting our firm so that we may help you have the recourse you may need in the future.
