Going through a divorce is a trying experience. This is something that should be handled by a qualified attorney to ensure that you get what is fair to you. In the state of California this may include spousal support. How this is determined is based on quite a few different things. Let’s take a quick look at what spousal support really is and the different types that are out there.
Spousal support is in a nutshell kind of like child support with no children. Not that you either get one or the other, you can get both. It is a payment made from one spouse to the other to help the other maintain the same quality of life that the paid spouse was used to as part of a married couple. Spousal support payments are tax deductible by the paying spouse and is taxable income to the payee spouse. This is definitely one aspect of divorce that should be handled by an attorney.
Basically there are two different types of spousal support and you have the possibility of being awarded both types.
If you are awarded spousal support or you have to pay it, there are times when it can be modified. That is, unless the original spousal support agreement states that it is not able to be modified. Reasons for modification can vary and can include things like the loss of a job or even the lesser earning spouse earning more than the former higher earning spouse. To get this modification, either party can file a petition with the court and go before the judge for a decision.
One more thing to note is that if you have to pay spousal support in the state of California it is tax deductible.