Standard of living support?

What is the name of your state? CA

Can someone give me information regarding standard of living support? I have been divorced for 5 years, have joint custody and barely scrape by. My X however is doing quite well and can give my children more than me in terms of living arrangements (I can only afford a 2 bedroom (my son and daughter share a room). My son is almost a teenager and I think it's important he has his own space soon. Is this something I can go to court and get help with?

Standard of living is decided during your divorce procedures.
In AZ., here was my experience with this issue (I never divorced but looked into this): I have been married 15 years. My husband earns $220K a year, I earn $55K a year. If we had divorced my husbands life style wouod not change (because of his highier income) but mine would. I could barely afford the house and after that, I would be broke. In order to make it more even (AZ is a 50/50 state) he would be required to pay a spousal support payment of approx. $1500-2000 monthly to me for 5 years. The courts give you a time limit in order for the lower income person to have the opportunity to get a highier paying job or education.

This is standard of living, plus if you never worked, some times you can get spousal support ( usually set for a specific time).

Good luck,,

Perhaps you could file either a "Petition(s) for Modification of CS or Alimony", maybe both assuming you get alimony. Most courts allow for reasonable cost of living adjustment, especially for CS, assuming that your final orders do not have a "COLA" built-in. Most petitions of these types allow for "pro se" filing. Be prepared with new financial statements for yourself and likely your ex will have to provide new financial statements as well. Call your local courthouse and see which forms you would need to fill out; in my state (DE) forms can be downloaded from Family Court.

Good luck.

What is a "cola"?

Thanks.

[stealth2]

COLA = Cost Of Living Adjustment.