Support Issues

Child Support and Spousal Support in California Divorce

Because the incomes of divorcing spouses need to meet the expenses of two households rather than one, child support and alimony can present serious issues in a California divorce, especially when one spouse earns considerably more than the other.

If you need help resolving disputes relating to either child support or spousal support, discuss your situation with a knowledgeable family law attorney at the Bez Law Firm, P.C. in Sacramento. We offer free initial consultations, and we take the time to explain your legal options in terms that make sense.

Spousal support is usually an issue in both dissolution and domestic partnership intended to protect the financially weaker spouse

Whenever there's a significant difference in size between the spouses' paychecks, there's a strong chance that the spouse who earns more will need to make regular payments to the financially dependent spouse. Possible exceptions include: high net worth despite the lack of a high income, the existence of prenuptial agreement terms that waive the right to alimony, or an uneven property division settlement that's intended to take the place of spousal support payments.

In most cases, however, spousal support payments will be calculated under state guidelines on the basis of income and need. Sacramento divorce lawyer Dena Bez will make a careful review of your situation and advise you accordingly. Once you understand your alternatives, she can help you work toward your spousal support goals, whether you'll be receiving alimony or exposed to the need to make payments.

Child support is meant to protect the children's standard of living in dissolution, domestic partnership, and paternity matters

Child support questions are somewhat less flexible than those concerning alimony. The starting point for identifying child support obligations is calculating your payment under the state guidelines. These take into account the net incomes of both spouses, the number of children to be supported, and a list of factors that might adjust a raw support obligation up or down.

One objective of the child support system is to make sure that the children suffer as little as possible from the change in their parents' financial circumstances. Whether you'll be paying or receiving child support, we can give you a good idea of your rights and responsibilities and help you figure out the best way to balance them.

We help people with the modification or enforcement of support orders

Circumstances change over time, and sometimes people default on their payments. Whether you need the terms of your commitment changed, or need help enforcing your rights, we can help you. In the case of child support arranges, we can even help you collect back payments through various means such as wage assignment or garnishment.

We also help unmarried parents with child support issues related to a determination of paternity or a domestic partnership dissolution. For more information, get the advice of a lawyer who understands how the negotiation and performance of support obligations actually work. Contact the Bez Law Offices in Sacramento.