10 Resources for Spouses Expecting to Pay After Their Divorce

If you are preparing for a divorce and you expect to have to pay alimony and child support to your former spouse once the process is over, you will need to execute a strategy designed to ensure that your financial obligations are no greater than necessary. These resources provide an introduction to what you need to know about calculating alimony and child support in California:

Information about Spousal Support in California

1. Understanding California’s Spousal Support Laws

California’s spousal support laws are unique from those of many other states, as they allow for both temporary and permanent alimony awards. Learn about the factors the California courts use to calculate spousal support in: Understanding California Child Support.

2. How to Determine Spousal Support in California

When calculating spousal support, some factors will weigh more heavily than others, and the spouses’ unique family and financial circumstances will generally dictate the window within which spousal support can be negotiated. Learn more about some of the key considerations involved in determining spousal support in California.

3. California Spousal Support FAQs

In our Spousal Support FAQs, you will find more information about the factors involved in calculating support as well as the potential consequences of failing to make court-ordered spousal support payments.

4. What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony?

Understanding the tax implications of spousal support for both the payor and the recipient can allow divorcing spouses to negotiate terms that are advantageous for both parties. Learn about some basic considerations here: What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony?

5. If I Retire, Can I Terminate Spousal Support in California?

When negotiating spousal support, it is important to consider your current and future income potential. Importantly, a paying spouse’s retirement does not automatically terminate alimony in California, and negotiating spousal support is a task that must be undertaken with a long-term perspective.

Information about Child Support in California

6. California Child Support FAQs

Our Child Support FAQs address topics including the California Child Support Guidelines, what it means if your former spouse remarries, what it means if your former spouse finds a job, and some of the key provisions for negotiating a stipulated child support obligation.

7. Can Your Spouse Seek Custody and Support While Your Divorce is Pending?

In California, the term “temporary child support” refers to financial support payments made during the divorce process. Divorcing spouses can request temporary support at any stage of the proceedings, and the temporary support determination should be made based on the same factors used to establish post-divorce child support obligations. Learn more in: Can You (or Your Spouse) Seek Custody and Support While Your Divorce is Pending?

8. Tips for Ensuring an Accurate Child Support Calculation

When establishing child support, it is essential to have a complete and accurate picture of both spouses’ income (or income potential).

9. Establishing Child Support for a Child with Special Needs

While the California Child Support Guidelines are broadly applicable to all divorcing parents in North County, there are various unique factors that can require special attention. One of these factors is providing for a child with special needs. Lean about six important considerations in: What is Different When Establishing Child Support for a Child with Special Needs?

10. How are College Expenses Handled in a California Divorce?

In the vast majority of cases, child support does not cover the costs of higher education. As a result, divorcing parents must address their children’s college savings through other methods. Most often, this means negotiating a separate agreement or establishing an escrow account or trust.

Contact the Law Office of Renkin & Associates in North County, CA

For more information about planning for the financial aspects of your divorce, contact the Law Office of Renkin & Associates in North County, CA. Please call (888) 837-3564 or inquire online to request an appointment with divorce attorney and Certified Family Law Specialist Richard M. Renkin.