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Financial Considerations in Family Law: Understanding Alimony and Child Support

When it comes to family law matters, financial considerations play a significant role in ensuring the well-being of all parties involved. Two essential aspects that require careful attention are alimony and child support. At Family Law Richard E. Young & Associates, we understand the complexities surrounding these matters and strive to provide expert guidance and support to our clients in Lake Forest, CA, and beyond. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of alimony and child support, shedding light on their purpose, calculation methods, and the importance of seeking professional legal assistance.

What is Alimony?

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is the financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce or separation. It aims to maintain the financial stability of the recipient spouse, especially if there is a significant disparity in income or one spouse was financially dependent on the other during the marriage. Determining the amount and duration of alimony involves considering various factors, such as the length of the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the standard of living established during the marriage.

Related: “When It Is Time to Speak To a Divorce Lawyer”

What is Child Support?

Child support, on the other hand, is the financial contribution made by one parent to the other for the benefit of their children. It is intended to cover the children’s basic needs, including housing, food, education, and healthcare. The calculation of child support is typically based on state guidelines that take into account factors such as each parent’s income, the number of children, and the custody arrangement. Ensuring the fair and accurate determination of child support is crucial in preserving the best interests of the children involved.

Related: “Can a Child Choose Custody?”

Seek Professional Help

Navigating the financial aspects of family law can be overwhelming and emotionally challenging. At Family Law Richard E. Young & Associates, we have extensive experience in handling alimony and child support cases. We are committed to providing personalized guidance and achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. If you require assistance with understanding or resolving issues related to alimony or child support, please contact us at (949) 951-9529 or visit our website. We are here to help you protect your financial rights and ensure the well-being of your family.

Alimony Explained

Alimony, also commonly known as spousal support, is a form of financial support paid by one ex-spouse to the other after the marriage has legally ended. Alimony is enforced by federal law and is in place to acknowledge that in marriages where a spouse forfeits a career to manage the household, the couple is essentially splitting essential family duties based on nonmonetary contributions that have to be equally considered. To learn more about the ins and outs of alimony, continue reading our blog!

Who Qualifies for Alimony?

The whole objective of alimony is to provide “reasonable and necessary” support upon divorce or separation. In order to qualify for alimony one must show the court that he or she needs financial support and that the other spouse has the economic means necessary to provide it.

What are the Stipulations of Alimony?

  • It must be requested during the divorce, not after
  • It will have to be forfeited in the event of remarriage and at the request of the ex-spouse
  • Couples who agree on alimony terms can resolve this matter outside of the court, however alimony can only be legally enforced when ordered by a court or if there’s a written agreement
  • Failure to pay alimony payments can result in a motion for contempt to be filed, and if approved, can lead to other means of enforcement including wage garnishing

What is the Legal Process?

Immediately upon agreeing to divorce any individual seeking spousal support must come forward and file a motion for it. A spouse can ask the judge to make a spousal support order as part of divorce, legal separation, annulment or a domestic violence restraining order.

If the couple cannot agree to this arrangement or to a fair monthly amount, a judge will decide if the individual is indeed entitled to the alimony, and if so exactly how much. Alimony will either be granted indefinitely or for a limited amount of time depending on the couples current and future circumstances.

Final Thoughts

An expert family lawyer will be able to provide end to end legal services for divorcees and those trying to navigate alimony, child support, custody and other legal cases. Learn more about the expert team at Family Law Richard E. Young & Associates, our convenient services, free consultations and much more on our website or by giving us a call at (949) 951-9529. We have proudly served countless families in the Orange County community with their alimony, divorce, custody, and bankruptcy cases since 1974.