1 Thing You Need to Know About Spousal & Child Support Before You File for Divorce

Here's 1 Thing You Need to Know About Spousal & Child Support Before You File for Divorce:

1.  How are YOU going to provide for yourself and your children financially? 

Many women going through a divorce expect their financial needs to be met by spousal and child support after the divorce is filed.  But what they don't know is that spousal and child support is not immediately awarded after the initial divorce papers are filed.  Further, spousal and child support is typically not enough to maintain their current standard of living. 

In California, a party seeking spousal and child support must file a request for it with the court AFTER the initial divorce papers are filed.  This means you need to be prepared to provide for your financial needs until the court orders spousal and child support and your spouse begins to pay it.  Your spouse may provide you with  voluntary spousal and child support before the court orders it but if he doesn't then you need to be prepared.  If the court hearing for spousal and child support is set 4-12 weeks out from the date you file your initial divorce papers then you must be prepared to meet your financial needs. 

It is a good idea to start saving for your financial needs prior to filing for divorce so you will be prepared.

Take care,

Pam