How does divorce affect your taxes in California?

How does divorce affect your taxes in California?

The IRS code was modified effective January 1, 2019 which now eliminates the ability to list spousal support as a deductible expense for the payer on federal income taxes. Recipients of alimony are also no longer obligated to report the payments as taxable income.

Can I file taxes as single if I am legally separated in California?

If they have a decree of legal separation, they are considered unmarried for tax purposes; they cannot file a joint return. Interestingly, there is no waiting period to obtain a decree of legal separation (and there is a 6-month waiting period to obtain a dissolution of marriage in California.)

Is there an advantage to filing for divorce first in California?

There really is not distinct advantage during the pendency of a divorce case to be the Petitioner or the Respondent. Most legal experts believe that there is little legal advantage to who files first because California is a no-fault divorce state, so the court really doesn’t care who files the petition first.

How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree in California?

six months

How much does it cost to file divorce in California?

The filing fee for a divorce in California is $435. If your spouse decides to respond to your complaint, then they must also pay $435. You should also note that there may be additional costs as the case progresses. If you can’t afford to pay these costs, you have the option to ask for a fee waiver.

Is there a maximum amount of child support in California?

California is one of the few states that does not put a cap on how much child support a parent has to pay. The amount you have to pay in California is a legal calculation based on wages and income, custody time, and other key factors.

What are the child support laws in California?

Under California law, you pay child support until the child turns 18, or 19 if the child is unmarried and still attending high school full time. Under special circumstances, the court may order child support to continue after the child is an adult.

How does back child support work in California?

In general, the court does not grant retroactive child support payments when the court modifies current support obligations. If the court changes the amount of child support payments, the new amount for support payments applies to future payments.