Los Angeles Spousal Support Attorney: Ensuring a Stable Transition After Divorce

Divorce is challenging enough; securing fair spousal support is essential for maintaining financial stability. I am spousal support attorney Teresa Beyers, and since 2003, my firm, The Law Offices of Teresa A. Beyers, has been helping clients in Los Angeles manage family law issues, including those related to ending a marriage.

Determining alimony involves a careful review of each party’s financial standing and future needs. The court follows specific guidelines when deciding whether to grant support and calculating the amount. My goal is to protect your financial well-being during and after your divorce.

What Determines Spousal Support?

Alimony is not guaranteed in every divorce case. However, when granted, getting the correct amount of court-ordered support is often one of the most vital issues in a divorce. The court considers a variety of factors before deciding on the duration and amount of spousal support payments, including:

• The standard of living during the marriage
• The earning capacity of both the supported and the supporting spouse
• Each spouse’s assets and debts
• Child custody and visitation schedule
• The length of the marriage
• The age and health of both spouses
• Whether one spouse contributed to the other’s education or career training
• Any history of domestic violence
• Amount of child support paid or received
• Military benefits, such as Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

I have focused on California family law for more than two decades. I draw upon my extensive knowledge of the Los Angeles family courts to correctly calculate the support you need or owe, to protect your financial security.

How Long Does “Long-Term” Support Last?

Generally, for a marriage lasting fewer than 10 years, the goal is for the supported spouse to become self-supporting within one-half the length of the union. However, the court retains complete discretion to order a greater or lesser duration based on the factors outlined in the California Family Code.

The court presumes a marriage lasting 10 years or more to be a marriage of long duration (a rebuttable presumption), which means it retains jurisdiction indefinitely over spousal support, unless the parties agree otherwise; this allows the court to modify or extend the order at a later date.

What Happens If Support Isn’t Paid?

If your former spouse fails to make court-ordered spousal support payments, the court can take action to enforce the order, including wage garnishment, in which money is deducted directly from their paycheck.

The court can also seize assets or place liens on property. I help clients take prompt action to enforce support orders so they receive the payments their former spouse owes them.

Start Securing Your Financial Future With A Spousal Support Lawyer

Because I focus exclusively on family law matters, I understand the emotional and financial strain you are facing, and I passionately work for your best interests and those of your children. At The Law Offices of Teresa A. Beyers, I offer a free initial phone consultation to discuss your case. Call my office at 213-933-6681 or use the online form to get started.