Divorce and Spousal Support/Alimony
Collecting and Changing a Spousal/Partner Support Order
Getting an earnings assignment (wage garnishment).
Spousal/Partner Support
When a couple legally separates or divorces, the court may order 1 spouse or domestic partner to pay the other a certain amount of support money each month. This is called "spousal support" for married couples and "partner support" in domestic partnerships. It is sometimes also called "alimony."
Alternative Dispute Resolution
ADR Types and Benefits. The Judicial Council of California has created a video series with descriptions of different kinds of dispute resolution and where each might be helpful.
Ask for a Fee Waiver if you can't afford filing fees
In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a “fee waiver” in order to file for free. With a fee waiver, you also may not have to pay for certified copies, sheriff's service of process fees, or other costs related to starting a case, such as the cost for a court reporter to be at your trial.
Divorce or Separation
Divorce is a legal way to end a marriage or domestic partnership. After a divorce, you’re no longer married. In your divorce case, the judge can make decisions about things like money, property, and children. You don’t need your spouse’s agreement to get a divorce. You can get divorced for any reason.
Name Change After or During a Divorce Case
If you are getting divorced and want to change your name to back to your maiden name, you can usually do that in your divorce case.
Property and Debt in a Divorce or Legal Separation
Types of property: community, separate, quasi-community, and mixed community.
Responding to Divorce or Separation
Your options if you were asked for a divorce or separation.
Spousal/Partner Support
When a couple legally separates or divorces, the court may order 1 spouse or domestic partner to pay the other a certain amount of support money each month. This is called "spousal support" for married couples and "partner support" in domestic partnerships. It is sometimes also called "alimony."
Child Custody Basics
This webpage has basic information about California laws around child custody, what the courts are looking for in your documents, what the process looks like, and enforcing your orders. Start here!
Pension Rights After Divorce
This site has some helpful information on the court orders required to access some types of pensions following a divorce.
Child Custody Basics
This webpage has basic information about California laws around child custody, what the courts are looking for in your documents, what the process looks like, and enforcing your orders. Start here!
Ask WomensLaw.org a Question!
The purpose of this Email Hotline is for WomensLaw to provide basic legal information, referrals, and emotional support. The purpose of this Email Hotline is to provide U.S.-based legal information related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. All emails are answered or reviewed by an attorney. However, we cannot provide legal advice or representation and we cannot call you on the phone. You can expect to receive a response within 1-5 business days.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
ADR Types and Benefits. The Judicial Council of California has created a video series with descriptions of different kinds of dispute resolution and where each might be helpful.
Ask for a Fee Waiver if you can't afford filing fees
In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a “fee waiver” in order to file for free. With a fee waiver, you also may not have to pay for certified copies, sheriff's service of process fees, or other costs related to starting a case, such as the cost for a court reporter to be at your trial.
Ask WomensLaw.org a Question!
The purpose of this Email Hotline is for WomensLaw to provide basic legal information, referrals, and emotional support. The purpose of this Email Hotline is to provide U.S.-based legal information related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. All emails are answered or reviewed by an attorney. However, we cannot provide legal advice or representation and we cannot call you on the phone. You can expect to receive a response within 1-5 business days.
Child Custody Basics
This webpage has basic information about California laws around child custody, what the courts are looking for in your documents, what the process looks like, and enforcing your orders. Start here!
Collecting and Changing a Spousal/Partner Support Order
Getting an earnings assignment (wage garnishment).
Divorce or Separation
Divorce is a legal way to end a marriage or domestic partnership. After a divorce, you’re no longer married. In your divorce case, the judge can make decisions about things like money, property, and children. You don’t need your spouse’s agreement to get a divorce. You can get divorced for any reason.
Name Change After or During a Divorce Case
If you are getting divorced and want to change your name to back to your maiden name, you can usually do that in your divorce case.
Pension Rights After Divorce
This site has some helpful information on the court orders required to access some types of pensions following a divorce.
Property and Debt in a Divorce or Legal Separation
Types of property: community, separate, quasi-community, and mixed community.
Responding to Divorce or Separation
Your options if you were asked for a divorce or separation.
Spousal/Partner Support
When a couple legally separates or divorces, the court may order 1 spouse or domestic partner to pay the other a certain amount of support money each month. This is called "spousal support" for married couples and "partner support" in domestic partnerships. It is sometimes also called "alimony."