San Diego Child Support & Spousal Support Lawyer
Analytical Lawyer with 16+ Years of Experience Dedicated to Your Child’s Wellbeing
In the face of divorce, parents must consider not only how divorce affects themselves, but also how it affects their children — both emotionally and financially. At Leigh K. Galyon, APC in San Diego, we have more than 16 years of professional experience handling child support and spousal support negotiations. We will help you obtain a fair and reasonable support arrangement that allows you to raise your child in a safe and healthy environment.
Contact Leigh K. Galyon, APC online or at (619) 238-1223 to learn more about our San Diego child support & spousal support attorney.
Family Law
Child Support Orders
Child support negotiations can be complex, but the process can be simplified with the help of an experienced child support attorney. At Leigh K. Galyon, APC, we help parents:
- Understand child support guidelines
- Negotiate child support through mediation
- Litigate child support issues
- Enforce child support orders
- Modify child support orders
Note that California law establishes mandatory child support guidelines based on several factors, including the parent’s incomes. In particular, parents will need the following information to calculate the child support amount:
- each parent's gross income;
- the percentage of time each child spends with each parent;
- any available income tax deductions that the parents can claim, such as mortgage interest;
- mandatory payroll deductions, such as health insurance, pensions, and union dues; and
- childcare costs incurred by either parent.
Our firm can help you understand the basis and structure of these guidelines and how they apply to your situation. We can help you obtain support payments that best accommodate your financial circumstances and most appropriately provide for your child’s needs.
One way to negotiate child support is through the structured process of mediation, which provides a confidential forum for parents to negotiate a fair child support plan between themselves. Our skilled negotiator can guide you through the mediation process toward an equitable child support agreement.
If mediation does not work out, parents may proceed to litigation to determine child support. Our firm knows how to methodically prepare for litigation to achieve a favorable support arrangement for your child based on your needs and goals.
An important aspect of child support is enforcement. If a spouse has fallen behind on child support payments, you may need assistance to collect the money that rightfully belongs to your child. At Leigh K. Galyon, APC, we can guide you through the legal process of enforcing your child support order. If financial problems put you in a different financial situation than when you and your spouse first divorced, which may lead to difficulty owing your support payment, we can also help you petition for modification of your order based on these circumstantial changes.
Spousal Support Negotiations
Another type of divorce support is spousal support, or alimony. A number of factors are considered when determining an appropriate amount of spousal support, including:
- the couple’s length of marriage;
- their standard of living during the marriage;
- the relative income of each individual; and
- the needs of each spouse.
The above factors could establish whether or not alimony should be granted, how much should be awarded, and for how long payment should continue. Leigh K. Galyon, APC can help you navigate this complicated process to obtain the best spousal support award possible or, alternatively, to convince the judge that your ex-spouse does not need spousal support or needs less than they asked for.
Keep in mind that California offers 4 types of spousal support agreements:
- Pendente Lite (Temporary) Spousal Support provided during the divorce action.
- Rehabilitative Support allowing a lower-earning spouse to eventually become self-supporting.
- Permanent Spousal Support awarded at the conclusion of the divorce action. It can be for a specified period or indefinite. It may also be modifiable based upon a change in circumstances.
- Reimbursement Support to recoup the funds one spouse may have provided to help finance the other’s education or career training.
Working for Your Stability and Peace of Mind
At Leigh K. Galyon, APC, we help clients navigate the San Diego child support and spousal support system. Whether you are are seeking alimony or opposing the payment of spousal support, Attorney Leigh K. Galyon can represent you. Our clients come to us with a variety of concerns including how long spousal support can last, whether the amount of child support can be changed, and how payments should be treated for income tax purposes. We have the necessary experience to answer your questions and help guide you through the process.
Call us at (619) 238-1223 or contact Leigh K. Galyon, APC online to get on the right financial footing following your divorce.
Contact Us Today
