Orange Hills Spousal Support Lawyer

Orange Hills Spousal Support Attorney

Navigating a divorce is never easy. Especially when that divorce involves the highly contested subject of spousal support. In Orange Hills, an affluent area situated in Orange County, just outside Los Angeles, spousal support can be an integral aspect of many marriage dissolutions. Whether you are a business owner hoping to protect your hard work or a mother hoping to protect her future, an Orange Hills spousal support lawyer is here to help you.

Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP: Protecting Your Financial Future

With over 100 years of experience, the team at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, knows the intricacies involved in spousal support cases. Ranked as one of the premier family law firms in Southern California, we offer unparalleled service to all our clients. Whether you are seeking support after a divorce or contesting a support request, the stakes are high. Our spousal support attorneys are here to help you and protect what matters most: your financial future.

Defining Spousal Support in Orange Hills, California

In 2022, California saw a divorce rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents. While not as common as in days past, spousal support is one of the various topics that can arise during a divorce case. Spousal support is a legal obligation where one of the spouses, typically the one who earns a higher level of yearly income, is ordered to provide the spouse who earns less with financial assistance during or following a divorce.

Marriage often creates some level of financial dependency, and California law acknowledges this, providing clear outlines on how and when spousal support may come into play and individuals transition into post-divorce life. In California, there are two main types of spousal support that you may be either able to receive or required to pay:

• Temporary spousal support. This kind of support is typically awarded while the divorce proceedings are still ongoing to help the spouse who earns less maintain a level of financial stability until the divorce is finalized.
• Permanent spousal support. This form of spousal support is awarded in the terms of a final divorce ruling and can only be modified or terminated under certain circumstances, including death of one of the parties, retirement, remarriage or cohabitation of the receiving spouse, or when a significant income or health change occurs in the life of either party.

How Spousal Support Is Calculated

When an Orange Hills couple is unable to reach an agreement regarding spousal support on their own, they will need to look to a family court judge who will make this decision on their behalf. In Orange County, the two main courthouses that hear these cases are the ones located at 341 The City Drive West in the city of Orange and at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana.

When it is up to a family court judge to make these determinations, there are several factors they will take into consideration. These factors include:

• The length of the marriage. The longer a marriage lasts in Orange Hills, the more likely it is that a support order will be involved in your divorce. This is due to the fact that longer marriages typically result in one of the spouses being more financially dependent on the other.
• Marital standard of living. A family court judge is likely to aim to ensure that the spouse seeking support is able to maintain a lifestyle that is comparable to what they experienced during their marriage, reasonably speaking.
• Income and earning ability. The court will review your income and that of your spouse, as well as the potential for earning following the divorce. They may even order a vocational assessment in order to determine your earning abilities and capacity.
• Spouse’s health and age. The physical and mental health of both spouses will be taken into consideration when making a support determination. These factors can influence both the duration of support and the amount paid.
• Domestic violence. If there is any history of domestic violence between the divorcing couple, it can have a huge impact on spousal support orders. In these cases, the abusive partner may be disqualified from receiving any amount of support, while a victim of domestic abuse may be able to seek an increased amount of support.
• Marital contributions. Contributions made by one spouse, such as supporting the other spouse’s career or education, or one spouse giving up their career and education in order to care for the family home and raise any children, will likely be taken into consideration during a spousal support calculation.
• Marital agreements. Forty-five percent of California marriages that take place these days have some kind of pre- or postnuptial agreement. A judge will review these documents when applicable and follow any terms that may address the potential for receiving or paying spousal support.

Proactive Steps to Take in a Spousal Support Case

When you are navigating the complexities of an Orange Hills spousal support case, it is important that you take certain proactive steps in order to protect yourself, your finances, and offer yourself the greatest chance at your desired outcome. At Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, we can help you take these steps, including:

• Gather and organize all financial documentation. It is important that you gather all your tax returns, bank statements, information regarding any debts or liabilities, and income records to help prove your side of the spousal support case.
• Consult financial professionals. You may want to sit down to speak with a financial accountant who can help review your accounts, assets, and liabilities and offer you clarity on any valuations of your assets or the long-term implications of paying or receiving spousal support. This can be especially helpful if you believe your spouse is hiding assets or other sources of income, something that happens at a rate of two in five cases.
• Retain experienced legal counsel. Whatever your support case involves, it is important that you work with an attorney who understands the unique nuances of your case and can effectively and efficiently advocate for your rights.

Hire a Spousal Support Lawyer Today: Contact Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP

Choosing the right family law attorney is vital for securing the financial future you deserve. At Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, we want to offer you the peace of mind that comes with hiring a spousal support lawyer who has your back, no matter what side of the case you stand on. We combine our legal knowledge with a tailored approach, ensuring that everything in our power is done to secure you the case outcome you deserve. Contact our offices today to learn more.

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