California Attorney Protects Clients Facing Unfair Alimony Awards

Skilled family lawyer helps people in the Walnut Creek area to limit or avoid support payments

When you and your spouse divorce, there are a number of decisions you need to make that will have a long-term impact on your quality of life. One of the decisions the California courts generally make on behalf of those involved is whether or not one spouse will be required to provide the other with alimony, also known as spousal support. At Law Office of Gary A. Cornwall, I represent clients in the Walnut Creek area and throughout California in divorce proceedings. If you are asked to pay spousal support, I will uphold your rights. I know that alimony is one of the most highly contested issues in divorce and will challenge whether any support is justified or try to limit the amount you are required to pay.

Experienced divorce lawyer negotiates alimony agreements

When determining whether or not alimony should be granted, how much should be awarded and for how long it should continue, California judges carefully appraise a couple’s length of marriage, their standard of living during the marriage, the relative income of each individual, and the needs of each spouse. Retaining an experienced alimony attorney can help you convince the court that your former spouse does not need alimony because they are capable of supporting themselves. Alternatively, I can also work to convince the judge that your ex-spouse needs less than he or she asked for and negotiate an award that is fairer based on the financial conditions of each spouse.

Established firm seeks to limit support of all types

At Law Office of Gary A. Cornwall, I represent clients throughout California asked to make different kinds of alimony payments that may include:

Temporary alimony — This is support awarded during the divorce action, which may include attorney fees and relevant litigation costs.
Rehabilitative alimony — This type of alimony is intended to help a dependent spouse become self-reliant and may end when an ex-spouse has found a job or has completed his or her education.
Reimbursement alimony — These payments are awarded to the spouse who worked to support the family while the other spouse pursued professional training or career development. This type of alimony agreement may end or the amount paid may decrease once the spouse has been compensated.
Permanent alimony — Permanent support is given to a spouse who is seriously ill or who has demonstrated economic need. This agreement can be modified due to changing financial needs or other circumstances.

I will undertake a thorough analysis of your spouse’s financial condition to help limit an award to one that is supported by the facts.

Proven advocate helps clients reduce support orders

I also represent clients who wish to have a spousal support award reduced or ended. In many cases, the law allows for these changes. Support awards are often changed after:

The spouse receiving the support remarries or moves in with a new partner.
The spouse making the payments experiences a significant loss in income.
The spouse receiving the payments experiences a significant gain in assets.
The spouse receiving support becomes employed.
The spouse receiving support overcomes a disability or illness.

I can help you present evidence to the court as to why the amount you pay should be decreased or request that the court properly enforce the alimony agreement when conditions warrant stopping payments altogether.

Contact an experienced California alimony attorney for help limiting or avoiding payments

At Law Office of Gary A. Cornwall, I represent clients throughout California in alimony negotiations to protect their rights and limit payments to a fair amount. Call me at 925-933-6899 or contact me online to schedule a consultation at my Walnut Creek office.