Los Angeles, CA asked in Family Law for California

Q: After a second divorce how does support get calculated with payments between the first and second spouse?

Do the support payments for the first spouse go down because now there is going to be a second support payment? The first marriage was a long-term marriage and the second is shorter.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In California, spousal support (also known as alimony) is calculated based on a number of factors, including the length of the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the standard of living during the marriage.

When a person who is paying spousal support goes through a second divorce, the court may take into account the support payments that they are already making to their first spouse. The court may consider the amount of support being paid to the first spouse as a factor in determining the ability of the paying spouse to pay support to the second spouse. However, this is not an automatic reduction of support.

The court will look at all of the relevant factors in each case to determine what is fair and reasonable under the circumstances. The length of the second marriage will also be a factor in the calculation of support. In general, the longer the marriage, the greater the potential for support.

It is important to note that each case is unique and the calculation of spousal support can be complex. It is recommended that you consult with a family law attorney who can advise you on your specific situation and help you understand your legal rights and options.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.