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Things You Should Know About Spousal Support or Alimony

by | Sep 20, 2021 | Divorce

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In the realm of divorce, spousal support is often a hot topic. It is often one of the last steps in officially ending a marriage, and it can lead to feelings of uncertainty or resentment. If you are thinking about filing for a divorce, you may be wondering what spousal support is all about and how it could affect your future. A divorce attorney can let you know the particulars of spousal support and how it works when a marriage has dissolved. Whipple & Mercado is a family law practice that can provide you with a divorce lawyer to help with spousal support issues. Read on to learn about spousal support and how a Danville divorce attorney can help you.

What is Spousal Support?

Spousal support is a monthly payment that one spouse makes to help the other meet day-to-day living expenses after his or her divorce. It is also often referred to as alimony. The receiving spouse is typically the one who has been employed less or was responsible for more of the couple’s domestic duties. If you are not the high-income spouse, then you are entitled to spousal support. The court decides whether or not one spouse should pay spousal support to another. 

Facts About Spousal Support:

  • Spousal support is not automatic, and there are various formulas used to determine what amount, if any, should be awarded
  • Spousal Support can be modified at a later date, when circumstances warrants. For example, if there is a significant change in circumstances (such as the paying party having health issues, etc).
  • Specific factors can be considered when determining spousal support, such as the paying party’s ability to pay, the needs of both parties, whether the receiving spouse contributed to the financial success of the marriage (by way of supporting themselves and/or a career or otherwise), among others.

Talk to a Divorce Attorney About Alimony

Divorce is a difficult experience for any family. Contact Whipple & Mercado if you’re going through this process and need help making these tough decisions that will impact the rest of your life. Our attorneys are knowledgeable in all areas of divorce law and ready to guide you every step of the way as we work with you on an equitable settlement agreement that benefits both parties involved in the divorce case. Call our office at  (925) 344-5050 for help with your legal needs today!

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Tammy J. Mercado

Tammy J. Mercado has a passion for helping her clients achieve their desired results. She listens and she personally and promptly responds to your texts, emails and phone calls. She offers real solutions to your legal matters. Tammy will carefully evaluate the legal issues in your case, provide you with sound advice and offer you the pros and cons of each possible scenario so you can meet your legal objectives. She encourages clients to participate in their own matters. Tammy believes that client participation is key to a positive result and to keeping attorney fees as low as possible. You can be sure that she will offer you straightforward, sound and honest advice in a professional manner, with integrity and excellence.

Before opening her own law practice, Tammy worked for many high-volume law firms. This gave her extensive, diversified experience in hundreds of complex family law cases as well as civil matters. She is admitted to practice law before all courts in California and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. Tammy is also a member of the Rotary Club of Danville.

Tammy is a graduate of John F. Kennedy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix. Tammy is also a licensed real estate broker, which comes in handy for valuing property in family law cases as well as real estate matters in the civil arena.

During her off time, Tammy is an avid sailor who crews and races on various boats in the San Francisco Bay. Tammy approaches each case as she would any yacht race: by assessing the other’s strengths, weaknesses, experience, equipment, history and reputation. She is a member of the American Sailing Association, and she is a certified Coast Guard Auxiliary member.

HONORS AND AWARDS
Tammy was selected to receive the prestigious “Business Person of the Year” Award in 2017 for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.

Tammy is currently serving as Danville Rotary President for 2017 through 2019.

Mary C. Whipple, CFLS

Mary C. Whipple opened her first law practice in the summer of 2008. She previously was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Cummins & Holmes, a full-service civil litigation law firm in San Ramon. The majority of her experience is in family law, which includes divorce, custody, support, prenuptial agreements and domestic-violence restraining orders. Certified by the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, she is a specialist in the area of family law. Mary has also represented clients in a variety of non-family-law cases, including juvenile dependency, probate, breach of contract and employment disputes, to name a few.

Mary also previously worked as a contract attorney for O’Melveny & Meyers in San Francisco while simultaneously volunteering at the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program, representing defendants in unlawful detainer actions. The program acknowledged Mary with an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award in 2006 for her efforts in providing access to justice.

A seventh-generation Californian, Mary is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in criminology at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. She is a member of the State Bar of California, the Alameda County Bar Association, and the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

In addition, Mary is active in her community as a member of the Ambassador’s Committee for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce; a volunteer at the Contra Costa County and Alameda County Superior Courts, where she assists self-represented litigants in completing their divorces; and a member of Divorce Angel, where she provides information regarding family law matters to members of the community. Since 2007 she has been a volunteer judge for Alameda and Contra Costa County’s Annual High School Moot Court Competition. She is also a member of the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club. She was awarded the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Person of the Year; and a graduate of the 2012 class of Leadership San Ramon Valley.

CERTIFIED LEGAL SPECIALTIES
Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization