Divorcing your partner and no longer having someone to share financial responsibilities with may cause overwhelming uncertainty. The reality of having to balance the cost of necessities and pay the bills may leave you feeling hopeless.
Depending on the circumstances of your separation, the courts may issue an alimony requirement for your ex. Following a court order, your former spouse may need to consistently pay you a specified sum of money for the foreseeable future.
Requesting help
Just because you feel that you deserve financial support is unfortunately not reason enough for the courts to approve alimony. According to The Judicial Branch of California, courts assess several factors when determining the frequency, value and scope of spousal support. These considerations may include the following:
- Whether or not you primarily care for your children
- Financial responsibilities related to debt from your marriage
- The length of your marriage
- Whether or not you have a job
- The scope of your education
- Your overall health and ability to work
Working with an attorney, you can determine which forms you need to complete to request an alimony order. Once you submit the appropriate paperwork, court officials can begin to look at the details of your case.
Modifying an order
Changing circumstances may create the need for a modification to your original alimony order. For example, if your former partner loses his or her job, experiences a medical emergency or passes away, observing the current order may not be possible. Similarly, if you receive a career advancement, your children reach adulthood or you reach a point where you are financially stable, you may no longer need the extra support.
Similar to the creation of your original order, any modifications to your alimony agreement will require an assessment of certain factors. An attorney can help you petition the court for a modification to hopefully reach a satisfactory outcome.
