Assisting California Clients With Issues Of Alimony

Spousal support (or alimony) is often the most challenging and contentious aspect of any divorce. The paying spouse may be reluctant to provide for the other spouse on a permanent or long-term basis, while the receiving spouse often feels deserving of as much support as possible for as long as possible. It is difficult to balance these interests and reach an equitable resolution, especially with the strong emotions that often accompany a divorce.

Experienced Assistance With Alimony And Spousal Support

At John T. Chamberlin, Attorney at Law, I have been helping Pleasanton, California, divorcing clients through the process of determining spousal support since 1986. I provide personally tailored, detailed representation that is marked by availability. Operating a one-lawyer firm allows me to be there for you when you need me. You will not be caught up in red tape or left wondering what is happening in your case. I will walk you through every step of the process from beginning to end.

Determining Spousal Support In California

In many cases, the first questions people ask when facing a divorce are “How much will the spousal support be every month?” and “How long will it last?”

The answers depend on several factors. When the court prepares to make a spousal support determination, it will look at issues that include:

• Marital lifestyle: The court endeavors to make sure the spouse receiving support can maintain, to the extent possible, the same standard of living he or she had during the marriage.
• Means: Ultimately, spousal support is based on the needs of the supported spouse as measured by the marital standard of living and the ability of the supporting spouse to meet such needs and maintain the marital standard of living, too. If the paying spouse does not have the means to pay, the order will not be workable. The major challenge facing divorce courts is the fact that even wealthy divorcing couples often cannot maintain anywhere near the same quality of life that they enjoyed during the marriage, for the simple fact that two houses cost more to own and maintain than one.
• Length of the marriage: This is a very important factor for the California courts. All things being equal, a receiving spouse at the end of a 40-year marriage is sure to receive spousal support considerably longer than a spouse ending a six-year marriage.

Spousal support is usually the most difficult determination for the courts to make or for couples to agree upon. There is a statewide uniform guideline reduced to a computer program as there is for the determination of child support.

Helping You Resolve Your Dispute Amicably

As a divorce lawyer, I have focused a significant part of my practice over the past 30 years on mediation, collaborative divorce and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods. I will help you reach an agreement regarding spousal support in an amicable, efficient manner and provide you different options to resolve the difficult issue of spousal support.

Contact John T. Chamberlin, Attorney At Law, Today

I encourage you to call me at 925-271-5650 or contact me online to schedule a consultation.