If you have been approved to receive spousal support in San Francisco after your divorce, you may be relieved to have the extra income you had grown accustomed to arrive in the form of a check each month. Just as happy as you are about receiving this money, you know that it may not continue to arrive forever.
When it comes to California spousal support, there is a myth that if you were married for over 10 years, you are entitled to your alimony check for the rest of your life. This is not always the case and should not be assumed. Here are a few rules of thumb when it comes to knowing approximately how long you can expect to receive spousal support in San Francisco following a divorce.
- If your marriage was shorter than 10 years: Typically the court will rule that you are eligible to receive alimony in California for approximately half the length of time you were married. For example, if you were married six years, you can anticipate receiving support from your ex-spouse for approximately three years. This is not always the case, and the court may determine that you are only eligible for a shorter period of time. If there are special circumstances, you may be eligible for longer-term spousal support.
- If your marriage was longer than 10 years: The court may not put a time limit on how long spousal support must be paid out. This is where they myth was formed for lifelong spousal support for marriages over 10 years. However, the burden is put on the person paying the spousal support to prove that the alimony is no longer needed. If he can show you no longer need the support, the court will terminate your monthly check.
The term for which you are eligible to receive support from your ex-husband is complicated. For help getting the most out of your alimony in California, contact the Law Offices of Paul H. Nathan at 866-414-4091. Your San Francisco spousal support attorney we will help you know what is realistic for your future and make sure you get the support you are entitled to.
