Divorce Lawyer Experienced in Alimony and Child Support
Martin "Jamie" Elmer, Esq. ● 510-984-3983 ● Berkeley ● Alameda County
Although divorce is about far more than child support and alimony (spousal support), these important factors play out in countless divorces each year. How they play out between you and your spouse will likely affect you and your children for years to come. With the help of a skilled family law attorney like me, you can come up with child and spousal support agreements that you can comfortably live with for the near future.
Martin "Jamie" Elmer, Esq. ● Call 510-984-3983 Contact Me Online. ● Free Consultation
My family law practice is balanced between women and men, between people wanting to limit their exposure to child support or alimony payments and people wanting to maximize both. I bring 27 years of legal experience to the job of crafting quality, commonsense child and spousal support agreements that meet your specific needs.
Common Spousal and Child Support Issues
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Fear of paying alimony forever
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Abandonment concerns — can I be sure that my spouse will actually pay?
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Creative arrangements like foregoing the right to some marital assets (like the marital home) or making a lump-sum payment in lieu of scheduled payments
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Sharing custody of the children to prevent either parent from paying child support
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Illness of one party affecting alimony and child support amounts
Alimony and Child Support Determinations
In Alameda County and throughout California, child support is set by statutory guidelines. The incomes of you and your spouse as well as the time that you spend with your children are the two primary factors that the court considers. Alimony, on the other hand, is determined by a judge and takes many factors into account. Temporary spousal support is a relatively simple formula that looks at income and child support.
Crafting Effective Permanent Spousal Support Solutions and Compromises
I apply my skills as a former editor of the law review to craft well-written proposals for spousal support. These motions take into account such factors as community and noncommunity property, assets, debt, business assets, alimony buyout possibilities, ability of and marketable skills of individuals to work, age of parties, length of marriage, health of parties, tax issues, domestic violence history and adultery of either party, among other factors.
Following Through For You
If you need child support or spousal support modifications, either higher or lower, due to a change in circumstances, I can help you file the proper papers promptly. The court will not retroactively change child support up or down, but your future payments can be modified if you give the court an adequate reason for the change.
If we need to go back to court for modification, clarification or for any other matter, rest assured I will skillfully handle any needed follow-up. Furthermore, I will let you know what you can realistically expect. I want you to make an informed decision before undertaking any legal action.
Enforcement
If you know that you will have difficulty paying child support or alimony payments, you should contact a skilled family law attorney as soon as possible – if your payments get too far behind, you can lose your driving privileges and can even be jailed until arrangements are made for the payment! If you are having trouble getting your former spouse to pay, it is important to notify the court because there are ways to secure the payments by garnishing of wages, applying liens to property and other methods.
Call 510-984-3983 to reach me and discuss your child support and alimony needs. I will provide you with caring, cost-effective legal counsel during this difficult time. If you prefer, you can contact me online.
