Every state has its own laws regarding spousal support in a divorce. An experienced family law attorney can help you to understand the specific rights and responsibilities each party in a divorce has. In California, there are five types of alimony, also known as spousal support. The purpose of these spousal support arrangements is to provide financial support for a spouse that doesn’t earn income, or who may earn insufficient income. Alimony awards may differ in the amounts granted as well as the time those arrangements must be paid.
Five Types of Alimony in California
There are five alimony award strategies in California. These are:
- Permanent Alimony – under this arrangement, spousal support is paid by the higher-earning spouse after the divorce settlement has been reached. The amount is paid monthly or by special arrangement with the divorce court and is paid until the death or remarriage of the supported spouse.
- Temporary Alimony – paid by the higher-earning spouse to the lower-earning spouse, this arrangement begins to be paid while the divorce is still pending. The amount can include costs associated with daily expenses as well as the costs of the divorce itself, including attorney and court fees. Once the divorce is finalized in or out of court, the payments can be stopped.
- Lump-sum Alimony – this arrangement is commonly used instead of a property settlement. The divorce judge may order one spouse to pay a lump sum one time in lieu of the division of marital assets.
- Reimbursement Alimony – this alimony arrangement is designed to repay one spouse for the expenses of the other party in the divorce. It is commonly awarded when the lower-earning spouse has to take a work training program or receive education to obtain employment; in these cases, the higher-earning spouse may be ordered to pay tuition costs.
- Rehabilitative Alimony – under this alimony arrangement, the higher-earning spouse is ordered to give financial support to the lower-earning spouse while that party finishes his or her education or training for employment purposes. This arrangement is time-limited and is stopped when the lower-earning spouse can support him- or herself financially.
Many factors go into determining which alimony arrangement is appropriate. An experienced family law attorney can help you learn which arrangement is right for your needs in a divorce.
Source:
http://www.msmfamilylaw.com/blog/2016/november/5-spousal-support-options-in-a-california-divorc/