There are a number of myths that surround divorce in California. Some involve divorce statistics, while others involve the children. One common myth involves the spousal support paid out to the woman during a divorce.
Spousal support in California is paid out to people who relied on the other party in the marriage for income. Because many women stay at home with their children or work part time to help raise a family, a myth has formed that, when a husband and wife separate, the wife will automatically receive alimony in California. This is not always true. In fact, there are many situations where neither party is asked to pay spousal support. Here are three of the situations where you, as the ex-wife, may not receive the support you need:
- The duration of the marriage. San Francisco alimony is meant to help support a person who became circumstantially dependent on the other spouse’s income. If the marriage was brief, the court may rule that a woman was not dependent on her spouse for financial support and should not receive support after the marriage is dissolved.
- The income the wife receives. If a wife is still working during a divorce, the court may find that she earns enough to support herself and that her husband does not have to pay spousal support in California.
- The skills of the wife. Even if the wife stays at home to care for the family and is left without a job, the court may not rule that she can receive money. If the wife is highly skilled and educated, the court may determine that she is capable of earning her own income and does not require alimony to survive.
Determining how much, if any, spousal support you will receive can be a challenge. To help get the amount that is fair and just for your situation, speak with a San Francisco spousal support lawyer today. Contact the Law Offices of Paul H. Nathan to learn more about how we can help you.
