Spousal Support “A law firm is only as good as its ability to understand and respond to the individual needs of its clients. The Gorski Firm provides cost effective and high-quality counsel to individuals and businesses and provides our clients with the same resources as large firms, without sacrificing personal attention.”
- Vincent A. Gorski, Founder

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Spousal Support Attorney in Bakersfield, CA

Serving Clients Throughout Kern County & Beyond

Spousal support, or “alimony” as it is often more colloquially referred to, is a potential consideration during divorce proceedings. Spousal support is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to the other to mitigate financial disparities that arise when a marriage ends or while a case is still pending. In California, a judge can award temporary spousal support as soon as a case is filed, helping a lower-income spouse meet immediate monthly needs during the process, and can later make a long-term support order as part of the judgment in your case.

At The Gorski Firm, we know that spousal support can be a hotly contested factor in a divorce, particularly due to the financial consequences of a legal separation. That means it’s important to have skilled and staunch representation when working through this and any other aspect of a family law matter, and Board Certified Attorney Vincent Gorski aims to provide that representation with our truly client-focused approach. We offer virtual consultations for convenience, and we even offer service in Spanish for those who are more comfortable speaking it. We believe in protecting what matters, be it your family and your well-being today and your responsibilities into the future.

Whether you’re curious about pursuing alimony as a part of a divorce case or you’re concerned about a request made against you, contact The Gorski Firm today at (661) 768-1441 to request a case evaluation and learn more about this important factor in many divorce cases.

Types of Spousal Support

In California, spousal support is generally divided into two distinct categories based on duration and purpose. Courts treat these awards differently because they address separate financial needs that arise at different stages of a divorce or legal separation, so it’s a common misnomer that an award for one precludes an award for the other—if deemed necessary, courts will award both.

Short-Term (Temporary) Spousal Support

Short-term spousal support is ordered while a divorce or legal separation case is still pending. Its primary purpose is to help maintain financial stability and allow both spouses to meet ongoing living expenses during the legal process, often using guideline-based calculations based on both parties’ needs and ability to pay for consistency and efficiency. (Family Code § 3600)

Long-Term (Permanent) Spousal Support

Long-term spousal support is addressed in the final judgment of a divorce and is based on a detailed analysis of factors such as both spouses’ earning capacity, the marital standard of living, and the length of the marriage. Rather than following a formula, these awards are tailored to the circumstances of the marriage and may be set for a defined period or remain modifiable depending on future changes in the parties’ financial situations. This means longer-term marriages are typically more likely to result in alimony awards, especially those where one spouse was the primary breadwinner and the other lacks the skills or training to become substantially or gainfully employed in the short or long term.

Who Is Eligible for Spousal Support?

In California, either spouse may be eligible for spousal support in a divorce or legal separation, regardless of gender, as long as the legal requirements are met. Unlike other states, California’s laws are extremely open-ended and leave a lot of discretion regarding these decisions up to the courts themselves. Courts do have some general guidelines they follow, but for the most part will look at factors like the needs the requesting spouse may have and their ex’s ability to pay. California is a no-fault divorce state, so marital misconduct can have no bearing or impact on the court’s decision in this regard.

How Is Spousal Support Determined?

When determining whether spousal support is appropriate and what amount and duration are just, California courts apply the statutory framework set out by law. Under Family Code § 4320, the court must weigh a broad range of factors, including each spouse’s earning capacity, the standard of living established during the marriage, contributions to the other’s education or career, the length of the marriage, and age or health concerns, among others. Rather than relying on a single formula for support term duration or amount, judges evaluate how these factors interact in the context of the marriage and its breakdown, with the goal of reaching an outcome that reflects the parties’ real financial circumstances.

Discuss your case with an experienced attorney from The Gorski Firm by contacting us to schedule a consultation today.

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