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Spousal Support Lawyer

Conscientious | Diligent | Strong

Spousal Support Lawyer2025-11-25T07:52:24+00:00

Going through a divorce or separation is never easy, especially when money is involved. One of the biggest questions people face is whether spousal support (sometimes called alimony) will come into play. Will you have to pay it? Are you entitled to receive it? How long will it last?

That’s where working with an experienced spousal support lawyer makes all the difference. At The Law Office of David C. Watts, we help clients understand what spousal support really means, how it’s calculated, and what to expect during the process.

Divorce, Legal Separation & Annulment

Understanding Spousal Support

In California, spouses have a legal duty to support each other. When a marriage ends, that duty doesn’t always disappear right away. Spousal support is meant to help balance things out, especially if one spouse relied on the other financially.

There are two main types of support you’ll hear about:

Temporary Spousal Support

This is paid while your divorce is still going through the courts. The goal is to keep things as stable as possible until everything is finalized.

Permanent Spousal Support

Don’t let the name fool you, it doesn’t mean “forever.” This type of support is decided once the divorce is complete and can last for a set amount of time depending on your situation.

Key Factors Used to Calculate Spousal Support

Unlike child support, there’s no simple formula for spousal support. Instead, California judges look at a list of factors, including:

  • Each spouse’s income and ability to earn
  • The lifestyle you had during the marriage
  • How long you were married
  • The age and health of both spouses
  • Whether one spouse supported the other’s career or education
  • Any history of domestic violence
  • Whether the supported spouse can eventually become self-sufficient

How Long Does Spousal Support Last?

The length of support usually depends on the length of the marriage:

  • Marriages under 10 years: Support often lasts about half the length of the marriage.
  • Marriages over 10 years: Support can continue longer, sometimes until one spouse remarries or either spouse passes away.

That said, nothing is set in stone, courts can always modify orders if circumstances change.

Can Spousal Support Be Changed Later?

Yes. Life doesn’t stand still, and neither do spousal support orders. You can ask the court to modify support if something major shifts, like:

  • Losing a job or getting a new one
  • Big changes in income
  • The supported spouse moving in with a new partner
  • The end of child support obligations
  • The supported spouse not making efforts to become financially independent

These cases can get heated, but a skilled spousal support lawyer can help you make your case (or defend against one).

How Our Spousal Support Attorney Can Help

Here’s how we approach these cases at our firm:

  • We start with a deep dive into your situation, looking at finances, work history, and lifestyle.
  • We try to resolve things outside of court first, because a fair agreement saves time, stress, and money.
  • If court is unavoidable, we fight for your best interests with strong evidence and clear arguments.
  • We stick with you long-term, helping with modifications or enforcement down the road.

Why Choose The Law Office of David C. Watts?

With years of courtroom experience and a practical, straightforward approach, David C. Watts knows how to protect your financial future. Whether through negotiation or litigation, he works hard to find fair solutions that let clients move forward with confidence.

Decades of Family Law Experience

David C. Watts has been practicing family law in Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties since 2001.

Personalized Strategy and Transparent Communication

We explain things in plain English, not legal jargon. Whether negotiating or litigating, we put your goals and your family first.

Trusted Local Advocate

The Law Office of David C. Watts is known for professionalism, integrity, and results. This isn’t just a case to us, it’s your life. We take that seriously.

What Our Clients Say

What Our Clients Say

5 stars

“David Watts is a great choice!”

David Watts has done a fantastic job thus far in representing me. He is kind and understanding and knows the law! He has a no nonsense approach and I like that. Simple and straight forward. Honest and fair.

I chose to hire David Watts in August, 2017 to represent me in my legal separation/divorce case. I say “chose” because there are many attorneys to choose from and that choice alone is overwhelming! Given the destructive and emotionally painful nature of divorce, no additional stress is needed. My sincere hope is that this review will help someone else by saving them some time and money and alleviate some stress in the decision making process. My choice to hire David Watts to represent me was made after having consultations with four other attorneys over the course of an approximate six month period of time prior to August, 2017. I had an acquaintance ask me, as if shocked I had consulted with so many others prior to hiring David Watts, “weren’t any of the other four attorneys competent enough”? I am sure they were competent, however, they were not the right fit for me. I had consultations with both female and male attorneys. When I met with David Watts for my initial consultation, I knew he was the right attorney for me. I felt at ease and comfortable in our meeting. I compare my consultation with David Watts to the feeling of “sitting and talking with a brother or friend who happens to knows a lot about divorce”. I am so glad I listened to my instinct and waited until hiring David Watts. David Watts is a man of integrity and character. When I told him who opposing counsel was, he had the opportunity to say negative things about this attorney. He did no such thing, and I value that! He has remained true to character throughout this long process. I have actually told him, “I am so glad you are not a creepy attorney”. I did not want an attorney who would fight dirty either. There are no winners in a divorce, but having the right attorney will ensure that you receive what is entitled to you. David Watts has done a fantastic job thus far in representing me. He is kind and understanding and knows the law! He has a no nonsense approach and I like that. Simple and straight forward. Honest and fair. He and the office staff have always returned my calls in a timely manner, and Nicole Thomson, has always answered all of my questions so graciously! My marriage was one of 25 years where my spouse the primary bread winner. Our children are grown so we have no parenting/custody issues. I highly recommend David Watts…God bless you!

– Previous Client

5 stars

“David Watts resolve the issue”

I went to 4 different divorce lawyers. I picked David because of his approach to the case. While every other lawyer acted like a car salesman and tried to over sell their self, David gave me honest opinion of the case, where I stand and what I should do…

…Instead of trying to get me to sign him, he literally told me to wait for the next move from the other party. His advice was good for my case, even though it did not benefit him. I made some mistakes from my side in handling the case on my own, but, David came with me to the court 3 times and appeared in front of 2 different judges. He worked tirelessly to try and find amicable solution between me and my wife. My wife was not very keen on making compromises but, David’s constant effort was seen by me and the judge! Judge commended him for trying to solve the issues without her intervention and because of that, judge was more sympathetic to help me and David resolve the issue. His handle on understanding, how judge is perceiving the case is extra ordinary. Each time he told me, what the judge may be thinking and leaning toward and he was right every time. He is also extremely honest with his billing process. I would hire David for any type of domestic dispute without any doubts.

– Previous Client

Get Your Free Case Evaluation Today

If spousal support is on the table in your case, don’t leave it up to chance. Having a knowledgeable spousal support lawyer on your side can help ensure the outcome is fair and realistic for your situation.

Call The Law Office of David C. Watts today at (530) 554-2410 or contact us online now to schedule your free consultation. Let’s sit down, talk about your case, and map out the best way forward.

Spousal Support FAQ

What is spousal support?2025-11-20T10:37:35+00:00

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is a financial payment made by one spouse to another after a divorce or separation to help maintain the recipient’s standard of living.

How is spousal support calculated?2025-11-20T10:38:02+00:00

Spousal support is calculated based on factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, and the standard of living during the marriage.

Can spousal support be modified?2025-11-20T10:38:22+00:00

Yes, spousal support can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in income or financial needs of either party.

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(530) 554-2410

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Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Law Office of David C. Watts

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.

Address

423 F Street Suite 102.
Davis Ca 95616
(530) 554-2410
fax: (530) 428-5154
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