What do I do if I want alimony? You can ask for alimony as part of a divorce proceeding. If you and your spouse reach an agreement about alimony, you can ask the judge to make the agreement a part of the court order. If you cannot reach an agreement, the judge will decide whether you are entitled to alimony.
California determines alimony based on the recipient's “marital standard of living,” which aims to allow the spouse to continue living in a similar manner as during the marriage.
Child support is never deductible and isn't considered income. Additionally, if a divorce or separation instrument provides for alimony and child support, and the payer spouse pays less than the total required, the payments apply to child support first. Only the remaining amount is considered alimony.
To apply for Child Support services download, print, and complete the Child Support Application and mail, fax or walk into District Attorney Family Support office. Resources: Application for Child Support Services.
The person asking for alimony must show the court that he or she needs financial support, and that the other spouse has the ability to provide financial support.
The Guidelines set a minimum child support amount of $91.00 per child per month.
If the check must be payable to the custodial parent, please include the SDU as the co-payee. For example, please make the check payable to “custodial parent and/or the state SDU.” Sending payments electronically to state SDUs is another way to ensure payments arrive quickly and safely.
If the check must be payable to the custodial parent, please include the SDU as the co-payee. For example, please make the check payable to “custodial parent and/or the state SDU.” Sending payments electronically to state SDUs is another way to ensure payments arrive quickly and safely.
However, if you are currently supporting another child or a spouse (for example, if you have remarried and had another child), the court can order that up to 50% of your wages be withheld for child support. The amount withheld from your check – about a third of your wages – is well within these limits.