Legal Question in Family Law in California
social security benefits
In the final divorce decree it states: Petitioner shall indemnify and hold respondent harmless from any advers consequesces if the bifurcation results in the loss of the rights of Respondent to social security benefits or elections to the extent respondent would have been entitled to those benefits or elections as the surviving spouse of Petitioner. Does this mean I loose any rights to collect a portion of his socical security benefits after 12 years of marriage? Please respond through email. I am the Respondent.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: social security benefits
It is difficult to interpret a single paragraph of an agreement. However, it would appear that he is guaranting that you will receive payment from him to make up for any loss in retirement benefits as a result of bifurcating the process and dissolving the marriage prior to dividing the property between the parties.