Learn About the Five Types of Spousal Support Available in California
Posted on: December 10, 2020
When people think of spousal support (aka alimony), they often think of just one type of support. The truth is that there are several different types. Spousal support is payments made from one person to another after a divorce, and it is designed to help the person who was not the income-source during the marriage to maintain their quality of life. There are actually five types of alimony. To learn more about them, contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free consultation.
- Temporary Alimony
- Permanent Alimony
- Gross Alimony
- Reimbursement Alimony
- Rehabilitative Alimony
This is also referred to as “alimony pendente lite.” It is designed to help a spouse with less income pay their living expenses during the divorce. The “pendente lite” is Latin for “pending litigation.” As that implies, this type of support only lasts through litigation. Once the divorce is settled, the amount (if any) of ongoing alimony will be determined.
While the name does make it sound as though this type of alimony lasts forever, it does not. It is a type of alimony that will continue through regular payments for an indefinite time period. However, if either party has a significant change in circumstances, such as a job change or a new marriage, it can end or be modified.
This type of alimony is paid in a single sum. This is generally given when one side of the divorce gets a large number of assets during the division of property. Providing a lump sum can make the divorce even more. For example, if one person gets the home, then they might pay the other for their portion of the home.
One example of reimbursement alimony is if one person paid for the other to go to school during the marriage. If the couple married soon after, then the spouse who paid could be asked to be reimbursed for the money they spent on the other’s schooling.
If a former spouse does not have the ability to get back on their feet after the divorce, then they could request rehabilitative alimony. This could be used for education, professional training, or other types of schooling. It is used to help a person become more easily employable or employable at a higher wage so that they can eventually be self-sufficient.
If you are considering a divorce or have already decided and need legal help, then we encourage you to contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.
