The Golden state can be a great place for married individuals to establish roots and grow their families. While many Californians enjoy long and happy marriages in the greater Sacramento area, others decide that ending their relationships is the best option for them. When divorce becomes a reality, an individual can have many questions about what will happen during and after their divorce proceedings.
One subject that can be of particular interest to financially dependent spouses is support. Spousal support, also called alimony, is money that one divorcing party pays to the other during and/or after their married ends. This post will introduce some important information that Californians should know about divorce-related support, but all readers should take their questions to trusted divorce attorneys.
1. Not all obligations of support come from court orders
It is not uncommon for California divorce courts to decide if support should be granted between spouses. Parties can petition for support from their soon-to-be exes, and courts can decide if those petitions should be honored. However, divorcing parties can also agree to spousal support terms during their divorce negotiations. If the parties to an ending marriage are able to execute a spousal support agreement, they may ask their divorce court to incorporate it into their final divorce decree.
2. Spousal support can be short or long-term
The structure of spousal support obligations should match the needs of the parties. Some may elect to manage their spousal support through one-time, lump-sum payments. Others may end up with obligations that last until the ends of the recipient spouses’ lives. To this end, individuals should not rely on the spousal support terms of others when attempting to determine just what their awards or agreements will look like.
3. Spousal support is not guaranteed in a divorce
It is an erroneous assumption to believe that all divorces involve alimony awards or agreements. In fact, some marriages end with both parties financially secure and without need for help from their soon-to-be exes. When divorcing parties can leave their relationships and provide for their own financial needs, alimony may not be necessary.
Spousal support can raise many questions for divorcing parties. The answers to those questions should not be inferred from the general information contained in this post. Trusted divorce and family law attorneys can counsel their clients on how spousal support matters may resolve in their cases.