Los Angeles Spousal
Support Lawyer

At The Dorie A. Rogers, APC, we understand the intricate nature of the legal system and are committed to helping our clients navigate it with clarity and confidence.

We recognize that spousal support cases can be confusing and emotionally charged. Because of that, we have a compassionate approach to addressing our clients’ spousal support case needs. With our extensive knowledge and dedication to client advocacy, we are committed to helping our clients navigate the complexities of spousal support with integrity and professionalism.

We can help you with guidance on initiating a spousal support claim, modifying an existing support arrangement, or defending against unwarranted support demands. Our team of skilled family law attorneys is here to provide the knowledgeable representation and personalized attention you deserve.

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is the financial assistance given to one spouse by the other during or after divorce proceedings. The purpose of spousal support is to provide both parties with a standard of living similar to what was sustained during the marriage, particularly in circumstances where one party may have significantly lower earning capacity or financial resources than the other.

The amount and duration of spousal support payments are generally determined by the court based on factors such as the time span of the marriage, the income and potential earning capacity of both spouses, and the standard of living that was created during the marriage.

It’s important to note that alimony can be modified or terminated if new circumstances arise after the divorce, such as a change in one spouse’s income or through the occurrence of specific events stated in the divorce decree.

In California, spousal support can take various forms, depending on the circumstances of the marriage and each party’s needs:

• Temporary Spousal Support: A couple does not have to wait for a divorce in order to begin making spousal support decisions. This type of support is awarded during the divorce process. It provides immediate financial assistance to the supported spouse until a final settlement is reached. Temporary spousal support typically begins once the couple has legally separated.
  It is recommended to have this agreement in writing and signed by both spouses. If both parties cannot agree on a temporary support amount, they can both argue their sides in court. However, if one spouse is entitled to spousal support, they can receive it as soon as the couple separates, so it is recommended to begin court proceedings right away if you need the assistance of the court to reach a spousal support amount.
• Rehabilitative Spousal Support: Rehabilitative support is a type of short-term support. It is aimed at helping the supported spouse become self-supporting within a specified period. This may involve funding education or training programs to enhance their earning capacity. Generally speaking, this form of support does not end on a specific date, but rather when the receiving spouse completes training and/or gains employment.
  The receiving spouse is responsible for pursuing the necessary training for employment. If the spouse paying the support believes that the receiving spouse isn’t working towards employment, they can petition the court to either decrease the amount of spousal support or implement a termination date.
• Permanent Spousal Support: In some cases where one spouse is unable to achieve self-sufficiency, permanent spousal support may be awarded. This type of support continues until the death of either party or remarriage of the supported spouse.
  Permanent spousal support would be deemed appropriate in certain situations, such as in long-term marriages lasting ten years or more, where one spouse has sacrificed career opportunities or their earning potential for the sake of the marriage, instances where the spouse has a disability or illness, or if one or both spouses are approaching retirement age and have limited opportunities to re-enter the workforce.
• Lump-Sum Spousal Support: Lump-sum support involves a one-time payment or a series of payments rather than ongoing monthly support. It may be preferred in situations where the paying spouse has significant assets or wishes to finalize financial obligations quickly.
• Reimbursement Support: This form of support is used when one spouse has sacrificed their education, career, or any other related venture for the sake of the marriage. Reimbursement support is meant to reimburse them for this sacrifice and is, therefore, not based on financial need.
  Usually, the receiving spouse accepted any employment, even if in an undesired field, to support the family while the other spouse trained for a more financially beneficial career. The common agreement would be that both spouses would benefit from the higher earning job once the other spouse completed training and gained employment, allowing the earning spouse to pursue their own career goals.
  Reimbursement support is meant to offset the benefits that the receiving spouse did not receive due to the marriage ending before they were able to do so.