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Offices in Ventura & Westlake Village

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Office Locations:

Westlake Village Office

3075 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Westlake Village, CA 91362

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Ventura Office

1198 Navigator Drive #20

Ventura, CA 93001

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Phone: 805-477-0505

Fax: 805-676-1481

At the Ventura County Law and Mediation Offices of Barton Pokras we provide personal attention in matters related to divorce, support, & custody. We serve clients in Westlake Villlage, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Moorpark, Oak Park, Simi Valley, Calabasas, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, and Ojai. We represent families and individuals throughout Los Angeles County and Ventura County.

The Law and Mediation Offices of Barton Pokras

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Practice Information

Divorce

High Net Worth Divorces

Mediation & Collaborative Law

Negotiaton Methods

Southern California Spousal Support Attorney

Determining Alimony or Spousal Support in Divorce

An easy way to understand the courts' approach to alimony is this: What is the need of the party seeking support and does it match up with the other party's ability to pay? In determining alimony payments and the term of spousal support, Ventura County courts look at a variety of factors, including:

The length of the marriage
The relative income inequality between the parties
The role the parties played during the marriage
The standard of living to which the parties have become accustomed
The receiving spouse's education, health, work history, and earning potential

Temporary Spousal Support

Before a divorce settlement has been arranged, one party may request temporary support while the overall divorce process occurs. Temporary support helps avoid economic hardship upon either spouse and the amount of support is generated using court approved programs. It is not a long term agreement, but it can be a contested issue and an experienced attorney can help you understand what the law details.

How Long Does Alimony Last?

Just as the amount of spousal support is dependent upon factors during the marriage as well as prior to the marriage, the length of time of support is also not a one-size-fits-all number. In the case of a long-term marriage, spousal support obligations may continue until retirement; but the length of marriage is just one factor. It is important to note that modification of ongoing support is possible to change the amount or duration.

My Approach to Support - Efficient Resolution vs. Litigation

At the Law Office of Barton Pokras, we represent men and women who are either seeking alimony payments in a divorce or who wish to contest the issuance of an order of spousal support. Normally, spousal support (alimony) is appropriate when a dependent spouse does not have the ability to support herself or himself. In turn, the dependent spouse may be expected to seek the education and training necessary to become self-supporting.

In his 20 years of legal experience, Attorney Pokras has seen both sides of the situation and he can help negotiate a plan that works for everyone. When negotiations fail, often due to one party’s emotions or even due the other party’s overly aggressive attorney who is more interested in the fighting a war via costly litigation than coming to a reasonable and fair agreement, he has been highly successful in the courtroom.

Learn About Spousal Support Options - Contact a Family Law Attorney

Spousal Support can be a temporary, long term, or almost infinite financial arraignment. Many factors can influence the amounts and terms, and with 20 years of legal experience Barton Pokras can help you in your situation. To schedule a free, confidential consultation at our Ventura or Westlake Village office email us, or call 805-477-0505.