Spousal Support Attorney, San Jose, CA

The decision to get divorced can be a difficult one; especially if you are unsure of how you are going to financially support yourself after severing ties from your former spouse. On the other hand, you might be wondering what you may owe your spouse during and after the divorce. These questions of alimony and spousal support can be difficult and complex, so it is important to consult a knowledgeable San Jose spousal support attorney; especially the attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri.

What is Spousal Support?

Sometimes after a divorce, there is a financial gap or disparity left between the two former spouses with one spouse making substantially more than the other.  Spousal support, also sometimes referred to as “alimony,” seeks to correct that by helping the supported spouse maintain the same standard of living established during their marriage.

In its most basic definition, it is payments made from one spouse to the other. In other words, the financially stronger spouse makes payments to the supported spouse that follow the amount of money and time frame ordered by the court during the divorce proceedings. 

What Types of Spousal Support Are There?

A party can ask for spousal or partner support to be paid while their case is still ongoing. There are two types of support that are awarded by the court.

The first type of support orders is called a “temporary spousal support order.” The goal with a temporary order is that the supported party will eventually become financially self-sufficient within a reasonable period of time.

The second type of support order that could be awarded is “permanent support” or “long-term support.” A permanent order can also be ordered by a judge once the divorce becomes final.

How is Support Calculated?

For temporary support, judges generally use a formula to calculate the amount.

On the other hand, judges consider a number of different factors to determine a final support order for a permanent spousal support. These factors include: the earning capacity of both parties and standard of living established during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and any evidence of domestic violence. If the court refuses to make an award of spousal support, the reason may be attributed to the dual careers of the couple and each party’s income earning potential.

How Does One Go About Getting Support?

If you or a loved-one are going through a divorce and would like more guidance through the process, including petitioning for support and alimony, please contact a San Jose spousal support attorney at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri. Our firm offers free 30-minute consultations to new clients.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique, and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

David Patton

David Patton is a Family Law Specialist as certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, limiting his practice to family law exclusively. He heads the firm’s family law practice. Mr. Patton has 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, spending his early years focusing on insurance defense and plaintiff’s personal injury cases. After co-founding Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri in 1994, Mr. Patton developed the firm’s family law practice. Since then, he has become one of Silicon Valley’s top family law attorneys. Mr. Patton is a certified family law specialist. Only attorneys certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization may represent themselves as such.