Legal Question in Family Law in California

Re: Divorce

In a divorce, if you want the house (joint title I assume) that's lost 150K in value, is it upside down, do you owe more than it's now worth? The result I have been getting in court is that if you want the upside house, you take it at $0 value, that is, you take it and the loan(s) and she doesn't owe you anything for that. This is just what I am getting in court, I can't speak for all judicial officers and all cases, but I think this is a logical result which may prove to be the norm in this situation.

You have a "long term" marriage, which means spousal support is an issue. For spousal support, the court considers all facts and circumstances. Everyone has a duty to make their best effort to support themselves, and the court should look at what the truth of the matter is on questions like disability, does she really have a problem or is she milking the system for example? Unless you can prove she is, and that's not easy, and you are working and making money, you'll pay her spousal support based upon your ability to pay, but of course she has to seek a court order, nothing happens automatically.