Starting a family with your spouse means that everyone has to make compromises and sacrifices. Your ex may have stayed at a job they hated because of the good health insurance it provided, while you made the choice to sacrifice your income and professional aspirations to take care of your children and avoid expensive child care costs.
Those sacrifices could put you at a disadvantage if you and your spouse decide to divorce. The longer you have stayed home to support the family, the greater the impact on your economic opportunities. You might find yourself without any income and worry about being able to get a mortgage, qualify for a rental property or just buy groceries. If your children are still minors, you might be concerned that your financial circumstances will put you at a disadvantage for custody proceedings.
Can you count on alimony or spousal support to help you cover your cost-of-living expenses during and after your divorce?
California does award dependent spouses support
California law allows dependents spouses who have less personal property and who earn lower incomes ask for spousal support. Most of the time, dependent spouses will receive temporary support to help them as they re-establish themselves after a divorce. If the marriage lasted for less than 10 years, the courts will often award support payments for up to half the length of the marriage.
However, in scenarios involving a marriage that lasted 10 years or longer, permanent support could also be possible. The greater the impact of your sacrifices on your professional and financial opportunities, the stronger your case may be for long-term support.
Building a case for support
To get the most support possible and ensure that it lasts for the longest duration possible, you need to present a compelling case to the courts. The more financial and household records you have supporting your claim to need support to cover your costs, the better your chances of convincing the judge.
Exploring where your personal income levels might be if you had not left the workforce and documenting the various unpaid contributions you made to the family can help you seek the maximum amount of spousal support in your upcoming California divorce.