Legal Question in Family Law in California
Financial Trouble
What can my family do? We live in CA. My step-dad has to pay his ex-wife (no kids) $2000 a month in spousal support. He recently got a pay cut because of the economy so we are now living off of $1800 a month but our rent alone is $2000 (there are 5 kids in our family). My mom can't work because my 4-year old brother is Autistic and his school schedule makes it hard for my mother to find a job. What should we do financially in our situation?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Financial Trouble
Try to find less expensive housing. You may qualify for some state aid like welfare or food stamps. Department of Public Social Services handles that. Google it to find your local branch.
As for the support, your step-dad can:
1. call his ex-wife and if they can come to an agreement to modify her support, then they can file the agreement with the court.
2. If she won't agree to the change, then file documents with the court to modify the spousal support he is paying. Go online to http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp. There he can get the forms he needs to ask the court to modify the support. Most courts have a family law facilitator who will help you fill out the forms or direct you to the proper forms. He needs to file an order to show cause and an application for the order as well as an income and expense statement. If it comes down to eating and paying the spousal support, he may have to fall behind on the support until he can get the order changed or find more income.
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