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SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation
A Team of Compassionate Legal Advocates 805-222-7818
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Spousal Support Guiding You Through Difficult Times

Ventura Spousal Support Attorneys

Serving Ventura County, Oxnard & Surrounding Areas

In California, the court has discretion over determining spousal support or alimony – especially when it comes to deciding the duration of the support. Certain “equitable principles and guidelines” are referenced to establish both the amount of support and its duration.

While spousal support can be established without the court’s discretion, it is not always this easy. If you or your spouse are unable to settle your spousal support issue, you should contact an experienced attorney.

Contact us online or call us at (805) 222-7818 to speak with our attorney today!

How Spousal Support Is Calculated in California

Either spouse can request spousal support based on need and ability to pay.

Spousal support requests require each spouse to divulge their financial information, including income, bills, assets, property, debts, and additional expenses and calculate accordingly

Types of Spousal Support in California

The types of spousal support in the state of California are temporary or permanent. Under certain circumstances, California recognizes reimbursement to the community for community contributions to a spouse’s education or training.

Temporary Spousal Support:

This type of support is to maintain the status quo giving the lower-earning spouse time to establish himself/herself financially. It is typically used to cover living expenses during the divorce process. The support may be awarded from the date of the request until the divorce is finalized.

Permanent Spousal Support:

Permanent spousal support is determined based upon several factors, some of which are:

  • Each spouse’s earning capacity
  • Each spouse’s needs based on the accustomed marital standard of living
  • Each spouse’s assets, debts, and other financial information
  • Each spouse’s age and health conditions
  • The amount of time the spouses were married
  • The paying spouse’s ability to pay spousal support
  • If there is a documented history of domestic violence against either spouse or the child
  • If either spouse has a criminal conviction
  • The amount the paying spouse contributed to further the education or professional development of the supported spouse

Is Spousal Support Tax Deductible in California?

The short answer is “no”.

Can Spousal Support Be Modified?

The short answer is “yes”. Spousal support can be modified.

Why Hire Our Ventura Spousal Support Lawyers

Spousal support can be very complicated to figure out. While the court does consider many factors when calculating spousal support, there is not an exact formula that will let you know what the amount will be. It is important to hire a lawyer who will protect your rights and interest when it comes time to determine spousal support.

We offer free initial consultations to new clients. Contact us online or call us at (805) 222-7818 to get in touch.

An Emphasis on Strong Family Values

Our firm places a strong emphasis on the importance of family values. The balance between maintaining these family values and generating a better future for you and your family is one we strive to achieve with each case. Our values consist of:
  • Holistic Approach

    We aim to resolve conflict so you and your family can move on peacefully. We approach all aspects of a case, including the emotional, financial, and mental components, and advocate with you throughout.

  • Collaboration

    Collaborative divorce can be a great option for spouses looking to share joint custody of their child/children and the court looks favorably on this decision. When possible, we strive to come to a resolution that will benefit both spouses.

  • Children Come First

    We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

  • Compassionate Legal Services

    We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

Our Satisfied Clients

Real Stories from Real People
  • “Donna, through her vast experience, was able to give me my financial life back and has made it possible for me to plan for my future.”

    Great family law attorney. I consulted with Donna Santo regarding my complex family law case and was immediately impressed with her professionalism, knowledge and experience. Throughout my case I was given status updates and was able to pick up the phone and contact Donna. I never felt lost during the process. Donna was able to answer all of my questions and respond to all of my concerns. My ex wife went through several attorneys and even was self-represented for a while. Through all of this, Donna stayed the course, went to trial and we prevailed on all issues.

    Because of Donna’s ability to understand real property laws, ours was in another country, complex income tax issues, self-employment and corporation income components, breach of fiduciary duty in my case, we were able to present our well-prepared case to the court.

    Donna, through her vast experience, was able to give me my financial life back and has made it possible for me to plan for my future.

    Needless to say I am pleased with the outcome in my case and highly recommend Donna, and her helpful staff, to anyone needing a professional Family Law attorney in Ventura County.

    - Dan
  • “Then I hired Ventura County family law firm Santo Mehas and everything changed for the better.”
    “Attorney Michael Mehas accomplished something for me and my family that three Los Angeles County divorce lawyers failed to do: he got child support from my ex husband.”
    - Jessica C.
  • “Donna Santo is a very professional lawyer”

    Donna Santo is a very professional lawyer, along with a very professional staff. I was searching for a lawyer familiar with military law, and Donna was the top of the search!! I needed a divorce attorney, and she has amazing military knowledge. She kept me up to date on everything and if I did not understand something she was very patient and explained in detail, until I completely understood the situation. When it came down to spousal support, a lump sum was not satisfactory, and Donna "fought" for me until I was awarded a lump sum and full monthly spousal support (we did not have children) and now I am able to live comfortably without worrying if I am going to make ends meet. If you need a professional lawyer, whether or not you need military law, consider Donna Santo, you will definitely NOT be disappointed!!

    - Kathy
  • “I appreciated her absolute professionalism & integrity throughout the divorce process.”

    I have had the pleasure of retaining Donna Santo as my divorce attorney. Obviously, no one wants to retain a divorce attorney but sometimes life leads you to things you thought you'd never have to do. Donna came highly recommended by contacts, friends, and colleagues. She has been practicing law for over 40 years. I appreciated her absolute professionalism & integrity throughout the divorce process - something that was not mirrored from opposing counsel. I wanted as little drama as possible with the negotiations and proceedings and that is the way she conducted herself and my case. Her staff was truly wonderful to work with. I'm happy to speak with or provide a professional reference for her.

    - Jennifer C.
  • “Donna Santo is a no nonsense, highly professional family attorne”

    Donna Santo is a no nonsense, highly professional family attorney. She has many years of experience which I found to be critical when it came to working in the family court system. She has had experience with all the judges and therefore quickly formulates a plan that is realistic, and has the best chance of success. You could not make a better choice to help you through this incredibly difficult situation.

    - Scott
  • “Santo Mehas what a great team”
    SANTO MEHAS WHAT A GREAT TEAM ,VERY CARING, GOT THE JOB DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER .I WOULD RECOMMEND TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
    - Alice D.
  • “I was able to be a part of my child’s life which is priceless.”

    I had a divorce and child custody case and Santo Mehas represented me. Michael Mehas traveled from his Ventura office to Fresno to appear on my behalf and was diligent in fighting for my rights as a parent. We had a positive outcome with agreeable visitation rights. I was able to be a part of my child’s life which is priceless.

    - Matthew A.
  • “5 stars is not enough.”
    5 stars is not enough. Mr. Mehas and Ms. Santo are the A team of attorneys. They are comprehensive, strategic, one step ahead, and a powerful team! When you hire the Santo Mehas firm to manage your case, you have hired a team of legal advocates who care, who will keep you informed, who will fight for you, and be the voice you need to represent you. Without the help of the entire firm, I know that I would not have had the successful outcomes I have had. They took on an extremely difficult case and encountered issues that no one expected and few had ever seen. They worked tirelessly to make sure that the truth was told and presented it perfectly. They stood by every one of my requests and guided me through the entire lengthy process. Though there were challenges, they strategically and diligently with compassion met them head on and never faltered. Their expertise and thoroughness provided us the pathway we needed to rise to victory. I am proud to be a client and will continue to retain them for all legal matters that may arise as I know I am in the best hands.
    - Christy B.