Costa Mesa Child Support Lawyer

Costa Mesa Child Support  Attorney

Ongoing financial support following divorce is often a hot-button issue. This is because couples who get a divorce understandably don’t want to be financially tied to one another. However, child support and spousal support are critical tools to ensure that all family members have the funds they need when a household splits apart.

At Engels-Janzen, our attorneys are ready to guide you through all aspects of your divorce or other family law matter, including spousal support and child support. We have over 15 years of combined experience in this area of law, and we help clients seek practical and sustainable outcomes that meet the needs of children and parents alike.

We Can Help You Establish Child Support And Seek Modifications

The first thing to remember about child support is that the money awarded is for the children, not the parents. This is often lost in the struggles between separating parents, and it is something both sides need to be reminded of. The children are the innocent parties in any dissolution or separation of partners.

California makes child support mandatory by the state guideline. If a court deviates from the guideline, they must first calculate the guideline amount and then state (on the record) the justification for deviating from it. Deviation can mean less support or more support, and it must be in the best interest of the child. It is a high bar to overcome to have child support altered from the guideline, but if the deviation is necessary, our attorneys will help you make the strongest possible case for doing so.

Over time, you may encounter the need to either modify the child support agreement or seek to have it enforced. Our attorneys are well-versed in post-judgment modification and enforcement actions, and we can help you even if we weren’t involved in the original case.

Will Spousal Support Be A Factor In Your Divorce?

Spousal support, sometimes called alimony, is not as common as it used to be. This is because in many marriages, both spouses work and have independent sources of income. Nonetheless, spousal support is still needed and used when there are significant financial imbalances between spouses. In California, support can be temporary (while the divorce is pending) or permanent (after the divorce has been finalized). In this context, “permanent” does not necessarily mean lifelong. Duration of support is based, in part, on the length of the marriage.

It is critical for the court to have accurate information about the financial status of each spouse and their abilities/needs. Whether you are seeking spousal support or are being asked to pay, our attorneys will help you make a compelling legal argument for why support is or is not necessary. If support is awarded, we will work diligently to ensure that the award amount is reasonable and sustainable for both parties.

Discuss Your Legal Options With Our Attorneys For Free

From our office in Costa Mesa, Engels-Janzen is able to serve clients throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. To take advantage of a free initial consultation, call us at 949-269-7709 or send us an email.