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Tag: legal separation

Alimony Explained

November 12, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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.

Reversing a Legal Separation

September 10, 2021 / / 0 Comments

The process for a legal separation is essentially the same as for a divorce, but with the option for it to be reversed. Unlike divorced couples, legally separated couples can reconcile their differences in court, re-enter the marriage, and return to joint status. Below, we discuss the required steps for couples hoping to reverse a legal separation in the state of California.

Step 1

The most important factor in reentering a marriage following a separation is that both spouses agree on doing so. Ideally the couple will have since resolved some or all of the major matters that initially lead to the separation.

Step 2

With your written Order of Legal Separation in hand, couples can draft a motion to Vacate Order of Legal Separation. This document is essentially the formal document needed to ask the court to review their request.

Step 3

One a motion has been drafted, the court will require you to draft an official Order to Vacate Order of Legal Separation. This is the second step in confirming with the court that you wish to be remarried.

Step 4

The final step is to file the Motion and Order to Vacate with the clerk of the family court where the legal separation was initially filed. Be sure to include a copy of the original Order of Legal Separation at the time of filing and keep in mind that there is typically a filing fee due at the time of filing, which must be paid before the motion will be accepted.

Final Thoughts

Southern California residents seeking to reverse their legal separation can trust that Richard E. Young Family & Associates will get the job done as quickly and thoroughly as possible. We will help you legally resolve any and all issues in family court including custody, child and spousal support, property division, separate and community property characterizations and disputes, business valuations and division and more!

Legal Separation vs. Divorce

August 30, 2021 / / 0 Comments

When married couples find themselves at a crossroads it’s often a choice between separation and divorce. What separates these legal processes can be confusing and most couples are often left with more questions than answers. In this month’s blog, we define and clearly distinguish the similarities and differences between filing for legal separation vs filing for divorce in California.

Definitions

A legal separation is defined as an ordered agreement in which married couples have legally defined boundaries and responsibilities. This is often a three to four month process that couples take prior to filing for an official divorce sometimes due to financial or religious reasons, or because it was required by a judge. A separation can be reversed in court upon all parties’ agreement in the decision.

Divorce is the irreversible legal dissolution of a marriage in court. This process will take at least six months of hearings, negotiations, and court ordered agreements before it will be finalized by a judge and made permanent.

The Similarities

It is not necessary for both spouses to agree to end a marriage when separating or divorcing. In California, couples filing for these processes also do not have to prove that there was a ‘fault’ by either spouse that lead to the decision.

Throughout both of these processes couples will have to agree on the terms of child custody and support, alimony, child visitation, attorney’s fees, and the division of assets or property. So essentially, the settlement agreement in a legal separation is almost identical to a divorce settlement agreement.

The Major Differences

The main difference between legal separation and divorce is that when a legal separation is finalized, the parties do not revert to “single person” status. This is important to note for taxes and health insurance reasons. Ultimately, the most notable difference between legal separation and divorce is that divorce is final.

Final Thoughts

If you or someone you know is preparing for divorce or legal separation in Southern California, it’s crucial that obtaining a lawyer comes first and foremost. When choosing Family Law Richard E. Young & Associates as your counsel you will benefit from decades of industry experience combined with a reputation for honesty and success. Visit our website or call us today at (949) 951-9529 for your free initial consultation.

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