When two individuals get married, divorce is usually the last thing on their minds. Unfortunately, many marriages do end in divorce to dissolve the legal union and reenter life as a single person. There are several things to consider when this happens, including spousal support. This is a payment one spouse may make to the other to help them continue living in a similar manner they became accustomed to during the marriage. This is an important component in the divorce process to ensure both parties can maintain a similar quality of life post-divorce.
If you are advancing through a divorce and need to know more about alimony or spousal support, Hayes Family Law can help. We are a Napa spousal support attorney firm that can guide you through the process and help ensure you are financially and emotionally stable and taken care of after the divorce is finalized.
We are both sensitive to the emotional components of a divorce and tough enough to offer real solutions that can help our client. We offer alternative routes for resolution and strive to resolve cases as amicably as possible because we understand familial bonds and relationships are still important, even after a divorce. We do not have scorched Earth approach to any case; but we are also comfortable taking your case to court. If a case must proceed to trial, we have the skill and experience to take that route.
There are many factors that go into awarding alimony or spousal support, such as:
- The length of the marriage. Generally, the longer the marriage lasted, the more likely it is that spousal support will be ordered. Relationships that last under ten years are considered short-term marriages, making it more difficult to receive spousal support.
- The income and assets of each spouse. A major factor in whether spousal support is ordered is each spouse’s relative income and assets. If one spouse makes significantly more of an income than the other, they may be ordered to pay spousal support. The same is true for assets — if one spouse has significantly more assets than the other, they may be ordered to pay alimony to help even out the distribution.
- The age and health of each spouse. If one spouse is older or in poor health, they may be more likely to receive spousal support. This is because it may be more difficult for them to support themselves financially after the divorce.
- The standard of living during the marriage. One of the main factors that courts look at when awarding spousal support is what the standard of living was like during the marriage. If one spouse was able to live a high-end lifestyle due to the other spouse’s income, they may be ordered to pay spousal support to help the other spouse maintain that standard of living until they are able to do so on their own.
- The earning potential of each spouse. If one spouse has the potential to earn a lot more money than the other, they may be ordered to pay spousal support. This is because the earning potential is seen as an asset that can be used to help the other spouse carry on a similar lifestyle and meet basic needs.
These are some of the main factors that courts will look at when determining whether to award spousal support. However, every situation is different, so it is important to speak with an experienced attorney to see what may be best in your case.
You should always consult with an attorney when going through a divorce in Napa, CA. This is because the divorce process can be complex, and you want to make sure you are taking all the necessary steps to protect your interests.
A Napa spousal support attorney will be able to help you:
- Understand the divorce process and what to expect. They will be able to explain everything that is happening and what the next steps are. This can help ease some of the stress that is associated with any divorce proceeding.
- Gather all the necessary documents. To file for divorce, you will need to provide certain documents to the court. Your Napa spousal support attorney can help you gather all these documents and make sure they are in order and submitted on time.
- Negotiate child custody and support arrangements. If you have children, you will need to negotiate a child custody and support arrangement. Your Napa spousal support attorney can help you reach an agreement that is best for your children.
- Handle all communication with the other party. It is often best to have limited contact with the other party during a divorce. Your Napa spousal support attorney can handle all communication with the other party on your behalf.
- Get the best possible outcome for your case. Your Napa spousal support attorney will work diligently to get the best possible outcome for your case. They will fight for what is fair and just to ensure divorce is as least disruptive as possible for you and your family.
If you need a Napa spousal support attorney, trust the boutique firm of Hayes Family Law. We are a firm in Napa dedicated to family law. Our exclusive practice means that you have the experience of an attorney dedicated to your unique issues. We have a team of experienced attorneys knowledgeable in all areas of family law and have already successfully earned thousands of dollars in spousal support for our clients. If you are ready to see how we can help you achieve this same result, contact us today and take the next step in your divorce proceedings.
