Legal Question in Family Law in California
Length of spousal support
After a 14-yr marriage, I have been divorced and receiving spousal support for about 6 yrs. The divorce agreement doesn't specify length of support but does mention the Gavron warning. I am employed full-time but earning less than my ex-spouse. My ex just told me that the courts are currently awarding support for half the length of the marriage, and he wants to end support next year. Our younger child is 15-1/2, the older just turned 18, and I do also receive child support. Is it true that the courts are currently awarding support for half the length of the marriage?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Length of spousal support
Spousal support will continue to be an issue until you remarry or he dies. Spousal support can be modified or even reduced to 0. But that does not mean the court will not maintain jurisdiction over the issue. You may end up paying your ex support someday when he becomes disabled. In order for an attorney to estimate how much your support may change, he would require more information and will need to run a computer program. Many attorneys will provide this service for you for free.
Re: Length of spousal support
You ex is wrong. There are many aspects to the termination of spousal support, however, a marriage of 14 years is a long term marriage and it would not be terminated on any recognized formula for time. I suggest that you go to an attorney who handles child and spousal support. You are probably entitled to an increase in child support, if not an increase in spousal support. The end of child support is now considered an change of circumstances to justify an increase in spousal support. Good Luck, Pat McCrary
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