

What Family Courts Consider In Ordering Spousal Support
Ability of the spouse to earn is considered by courts while determining alimony
The court takes into account the earning ability of both the spouses while ascertaining whether alimony should be awarded or not. Thus, a court not only considers how much a spouse is actually earning but also weighs the spouse’s potential for earning.
Will a spouse be able to pay alimony?
This is a major consideration for the court in order to settle the subject of alimony. A court looks at the gross income of the spouse and decreases the same by deducting all the compulsory deductions to arrive at his or her net earnings. Compulsory deductions include expenses incurred towards health care, social security, and income tax payment.
Alimony can be calculated based on the standard of living
Whenever a court determines alimony, it frequently considers the kind of living standard enjoyed by the couple while they were married and attempts to keep the same standard intact for both the parties as much as possible. However, trying to ensure that the ex-spouses maintain the same standard of living is less of a guarantee and more of a goal while settling the issues related to alimony.
For example, when only one of the spouses earned money during their marriage, it will be a tough ask to expect that the person concerned can maintain the same standard of living for both the spouses even after the divorce. The court awards reasonable alimony to that spouse who did not go out of home to earn during the marriage. However, the same spouse will be also expected to fetch a job for maintaining the same standard of living after the divorce.
Relationship between alimony and a spouse’s ability to self-support
Irrespective of a spouse’s ability to possess marketable job skills and a capability to move outside the home and start working, the courts take into account certain other factors while awarding alimony. If a spouse has custody over preschooler kids and cannot access a daycare facility, it would not be possible for that spouse to go out and start working. There is a difference between being self-supporting and a person’s ability to self-support. In such scenarios, if a spouse refuses to work even while they possess marketable skills, the court may award the alimony but restrict the amount and the duration for which the alimony will be paid for refusing to work.
Getting divorced in California can be complicated. Download our free eBook, 18 Important Things to Know About California Divorce to educate yourself on the process.


SHARE
RECOMMENDED
What To Know About Child Support While Divorcing Your Spouse
Irrespective of whether the parents were legally married or not, they have a responsibility to support and look after their kids. If a marriage or a marriage-like arrangement has come…
How Do California Family Law Courts Deal with Parental Alienation Claims?
Child custody disputes often proceed at a high-stress level. They are stressful on the parents, their attorneys, the judges who have to decide custody and the children involved in the…















