Alimony/Spousal Support
In California, money or necessities provided to a spouse each month after separation or a dissolution, is known as Spousal Support.
Spousal support is money paid to one spouse by the other for their living expenses. In other states it is known as alimony. Spousal support is calculated separately from child support; parties can negotiate spousal support payments, but child support must follow statutory guidelines.
Property Division
In a dissolution, all property is divided so that there is no more joint ownership of any asset or obligation.
Marital property typically includes the family residence, automobiles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, earnings during marriage and credit card debts.
Legal Separation
In a legal separation, the parties remain married in name only. Both parties must reach an agreement on all other issues - child custody and visitation, support, and division of all assets and debts.
Legal separation is not a prerequisite to filing for divorce. Instead, legal separation is an option in unusual situations; such as when the parties cannot divorce for religious reasons or when one party would be unable to obtain medical insurance if divorced..