Child & Spousal Support

Child support and spousal support (alimony) are among the many issues to be resolved during the divorce process. Moreover, long after a divorce is finalized, modifications in support orders may be required.

The Law Offices of Burch, Coulston & Buncher, L.L.P. in Irvine, California, can advise and represent you in all aspects of these matters, including:

• Child support
• Spousal support
• Modification of support orders
• Enforcement of support orders

Child Support

The level of child support is determined by a formula in California statutes. The level depends on the incomes of the parties, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, and the amount of various expenses, such as mortgage interest and health care insurance.

Our firm can accurately calculate child support using the same software program that the Court uses. If one of the determining factors changes, such as the income of a responsible party, our lawyers can obtain a change in the required support level.

Spousal Support

The law provides for two types of spousal support—temporary spousal support and permanent spousal support. Temporary spousal support is set by the Court generally to maintain the status quo until a final divorce settlement is reached. At that time, the Court will determine if a permanent award of spousal support is necessary and set a support level based on various factors, including but not limited to the income of the parties, the standard of living both parties are accustomed to, and the length of the marriage.

Identifying Sources of Income

In most cases, identifying sources of income is simple. But when a party owns a business, identifying income for the purposes of determining support can become more difficult. In these cases, we may call upon forensic accountants who can uncover hidden income or income-producing assets. Our attorneys can then use this information to strengthen our case during the settlement negotiation or divorce trial.

As experienced family law attorneys, we have the knowledge and experience required to identify issues and get results for our clients who face support issues.

For a consultation with a lawyer at The Law Offices of Burch, Coulston & Buncher, L.L.P., call 949.202.5728 or 866.909.6059 or contact us online. The firm serves clients throughout Orange County, including the cities of Irvine, San Clemente, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach.