Alimony is otherwise referred to as spousal support. California alimony statute is intricate, with decisions being made based on several factors. It's also a fact that the judge presiding over alimony matters has the discretion to determine whether a spouse should pay alimony and, if so, the payable amount.
Generally, alimony is paid by one domestic partner or separating/divorcing spouse to another. It could be awarded temporarily during divorce, or the judge can make it permanent (but it's, in many cases, temporary). The judge determines the duration for which alimony payment will last depending on:
- The period it'll take for the supported spouse to transition to single life.
- A verifiable reason/reasons why the spouse receiving alimony would not need it anymore in the future.
Alimony payments can be modified to accommodate your or your partner's personal and financial changes. Therefore, alimony payments depend on your or your partner's marital circumstances.
Primary factors involved in spousal support include:
- The supporting party's earning capacity and how long the marriage lasted
- The extent to which the supported spouse contributed to the supporting spouse's work-related training or degree
- The effect lengthy unemployment periods had on the marketable job skills of a spouse
- The degree to which a spouse is capable of maintaining the same living standard as the had when still married
