Sacramento Spousal Support Attorney
Alimony isn't charity — it's earned compensation and might be necessary for your survival. It might also not be appropriate for you to pay your previous partner alimony. I will fight for your rights every step of the way.
Schedule a Consultation- 14+Years of Experience
- 75+Family Cases Resolved
- 80%Client Referral Rate
Spousal Support Services in Sacramento
How California Courts Calculate Your “Worth”
California distinguishes between two support calculations:
Temporary Support: Uses county guidelines — straightforward math. In Sacramento:
- 40% of higher earner's net monthly income
- Minus 50% of lower earner's net monthly income
- Child support calculated first, reducing available income
Long-Term Support: No formula — pure strategy. Courts analyze:
- Marriage length (under 10 years = support for half the duration)
- Standard of living during marriage
- Each party's earning capacity
- Age and health considerations
- Domestic violence history
- Tax consequences (California still allows deductions)
California Family Code § 4320 requires judges to balance all factors — I fight to show they should lean your way.
Federal law changed — California didn't. This dual system creates opportunity:
- Federal: Post-2018 divorces = no deduction for payer, no tax for recipient.
- California: Still deductible for payer, taxable for recipient.
I structure agreements to maximize tax benefits under both systems.
Alternative Paths: When Courtrooms Aren't Required
Mediation for Spousal Support
Sometimes negotiation beats litigation. Sacramento mediation offers:
- Lower costs (split one mediator instead of two attorneys)
- Faster resolution (weeks versus months)
- Maintained control over outcomes
- Preserved relationships (important for co-parents)
The strongest position in support of negotiations? First strike advantage. While your ex delays, we're already calculating. Make the first move.
Make the First Move.
The strongest position in support of negotiations? First strike advantage. While your ex delays, we're already calculating. Make the first move.
Meet Jessica Abdollahi
"In spousal support, patience beats panic. I investigate every financial angle because your future deserves calculated precision."
With over 14 years of experience navigating California's family courts, I founded AF Law on one principle: strategic calculation beats emotional negotiation.
That’s why my approach focuses on what actually shifts outcomes:
- Strategic calculation: Analyzing financial data to maximize your support award.
- Court-tested formulas: Knowing which battles matter and which to leave alone.
- No-nonsense numbers: Clear calculations, no false promises.
Precision timing: Filing when circumstances favor maximum support.
Why Clients Trust AF Law
Numbers Don't Lie. Neither Do I.
Court-Tested. Settlement-Proven.
Trusted by Clients. Referred by Results.
Serving Northern California
Three counties. One mission: your best outcome. Strategic representation across:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am-5.00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am-1.00 pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Cut the Chaos.
Support isn't a favor — it's your legal right. While others negotiate from a position of weakness, I calculate from a position of strength. Every month without representation costs you money. Make the call that changes your financial future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sacramento spousal support attorneys charge between $200 and $900 per hour, with an average hourly rate of $325. Total costs range from $5,000 for simple agreements to $25,000+ for contested cases. Remember — skilled representation often yields support awards that exceed legal fees within months.
Temporary support uses mathematical formulas (40% of the higher earner's income minus 50% of the lower earner's). Long-term support involves 14 factors under Family Code § 4320 — no formula exists. Courts consider factors such as the length of marriage, lifestyle, earning capacity, and health. I ensure every factor works in your favor.
For marriages under 10 years, typically half the length of the marriage is considered. For marriages lasting over 10 years, there is no automatic end date; the court retains jurisdiction indefinitely. Support ends upon remarriage, death, or court order. California promotes eventual self-sufficiency, not lifetime dependence.
Remarriage automatically terminates support. Cohabitation may reduce or end payments. Domestic violence convictions within five years create a presumption against receiving support. Lack of financial need or failure to seek employment can also disqualify recipients.