After a divorce or separation, one household becomes two. This often has significant financial repercussions, as one spouse may have been the primary wage earner during the marriage, and one spouse is going to have primary physical custody of the children.
At the Law Offices of Matthew J. Long, I help my clients with child support, spousal support and other legal matters that arise in the wake of a divorce. With more than 19 years of experience handling family law matters for clients throughout the Santa Barbara area, I am prepared to protect your rights.
Contact my law office today online or by telephone at 888-854-1992 to speak with an experienced Santa Barbara child support lawyer.
Child Support
In California, there is a statutory formula that is used when determining how much child support one parent will pay the other. Factors that influence a child support arrangement include:
- The income of both spouses
- The time each parent spends with the child (child custody arrangement)
- Special educational or health care needs of the child
Child support generally continues until the child is 18. Some parents agree to a child support arrangement that continues through the college years. Regardless of what kind of child support solution you are seeking, I can handle all of the legal details to ensure your rights and the rights of your child are protected.
Spousal Support
Spousal support or alimony is a court-ordered payment that the primary wage earner from the marriage pays to his or her ex. Spousal support takes into account the lifestyle of the marriage. It also takes into account the earning ability of each spouse. In a spousal support case, the law considers not only what a party is earning, but what he or she could be earning.
Modifications and Enforcement
Circumstances change over time, and the orders from a divorce may not always reflect the present day reality. If this is the case, you may seek a modification of child support or spousal support arrangements. Changes which may warrant a modification include job loss and relocation.
Also, disputes may arise over support payments —whether the parties are meeting their obligations and complying with the law. In this case, one party may petition the court to have the orders enforced. If you are facing a modification or enforcement issue, I can help you protect your legal rights.
Contact a Santa Barbara County Alimony Lawyer
If you need assistance with a child support or spousal support issue, I am here to help. Contact my law office today online or by telephone at 888-854-1992 to speak with an experienced Santa Barbara family law attorney.
