Spousal Support Attorney in Beverly Hills, CA
Whether you are seeking an alimony arrangement or want to ensure you are given a fair spousal support order as the paying party, be sure to consult with a qualified Beverly Hills spousal support lawyer. A spousal support family law attorney can explain the relevant laws, provide insightful counsel, and fight to protect your rights in all family law proceedings.
Understanding What We’re About at Benefield Faulk Law
Our founding attorney, Tamara Shari Benefield, has over 15 years of experience helping clients with highly contested and complex divorce proceedings. At Benefield Faulk Law, we take pride in ensuring our clients understand how the law applies to their lives and how it can be realistically utilized to serve them.
Looking at Spousal Support in Beverly Hills, CA
Spousal support, also referred to as spousal maintenance or alimony, is one aspect of a California divorce that must be settled before the case can be finalized. It must be decided whether one party will pay the other in regular financial installments. Spousal support is not typically required, but may be ordered by the court or a part of the spouses’ divorce settlement. If alimony is awarded, the amount and length of payment must also be determined.
While spouses may choose to reach an alimony agreement on their own during mediation or another out-of-court method, whether spousal support can be awarded is ultimately left up to the family courts to decide. Additionally, the court determines what alimony arrangement would be most appropriate given the case. To decide the amount and duration of spousal support, the court considers these factors:
- The health and age of the spouses. Spousal support may be more important if the party in need is in poor health or is of an age that makes it difficult to become self-supporting.
- Marriage duration. Long marriages tend to warrant a larger spousal support award.
- Current income and potential future earning capacity of each party. Courts often focus on the current income of each spouse, including whether there is a large gap between incomes. It can also be important to determine if the spouse requesting support has the means to obtain further education or find employment in order to support themselves.
- Each person’s needs and standard of living established during the marriage.
Family law filings, including those relating to divorce and spousal support issues, in the Beverly Hills area are likely to be handled by the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. This venue is located at 111 North Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Your spousal support attorney can verify these details for you.
Why You Should Consider Working With Our Law Firm
At Benefield Faulk Law, we prioritize operating with a practical and straightforward approach to family law. Our team understands what’s important to you, such as your home, children, investments, etc., and is here to help you protect what you hold most dear. When family law proceedings involve such sensitive matters, you can feel confident working with a law firm founded on compassion, determination, and practicality.
FAQs
Q: What Factors Can Influence Alimony in California?
A: In the state of California, there are various factors that may influence alimony proceedings. Alimony, also known as spousal support, may be awarded during the divorce process depending on the details of a particular case.
The court considers multiple aspects of a divorce case to decide whether spousal support is appropriate, including how much and for how long. These factors can include the age and health of each spouse, the length of the marriage, each person’s income, and personal needs.
Q: Is Spousal Support Required in Beverly Hills, CA?
A: No, spousal support is generally not required in Beverly Hills, CA. Spousal support may be awarded to one party by the court if a request for alimony is filed. It’s never guaranteed that a spouse may be given alimony as part of their divorce settlement. However, if one party is ordered by the court to provide support to their spouse/ex-spouse, they are legally required to follow the order. Failing to pay spousal support can result in serious legal penalties.
Q: Can a Lawyer Negotiate Spousal Support Terms in CA?
A: In California, your family lawyer may be able to help negotiate the terms of your spousal support order. Depending on the needs and earning potential of you and your spouse, the type and length of the alimony order can vary. Some spouses may be able to reach an alimony agreement together, typically with the help of each party’s legal team. The family law attorney handling your divorce can also help you negotiate support terms that work for you.
Q: What Does a Spousal Support Lawyer Do for Me in CA?
A: When working with an alimony lawyer, there are many ways they help you. Firstly, your lawyer is there to protect your rights. They can make sure no mistakes or oversights are made during the legal process that may leave you at a disadvantage or vulnerable. If you are seeking spousal support, your lawyer can help build a case to show why you qualify. If you are the paying spouse, a lawyer can ensure the terms are fair, given your situation.
Q: Which Spouse Tends to Get Alimony Payments in CA?
A: In the state of California, the law does not favor either spouse within family law issues, including spousal support. Both parties have the right to seek spousal support by filing a request with the family court.
Typically, the spouse who earns less income is more likely to be awarded alimony. However, there are various factors that the court takes into consideration when deciding whether alimony is appropriate and what arrangement would be most fair given the circumstances.
Work with a Skilled Spousal Support Lawyer in Beverly Hills
At Benefield Faulk Law, Family Law Trial Advocates P.C., our team understands the complexities of family law, and we are here to protect your future and that of your family. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney to confidentially discuss your concerns about spousal support.