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Sourgrapes

Junior Member
What is the name of your state - California.

If my wife can not afford a lawyer but decides to get one, do I have to pay for her lawyer?
 


Sourgrapes

Junior Member
We have been married for 4 1/2 years and she didn't get a job for that period of time. she doesn't have a job now. I earn about 61k a year.
 

LdiJ

Senior Member
We have been married for 4 1/2 years and she didn't get a job for that period of time. she doesn't have a job now. I earn about 61k a year.
You could possibly be required to contribute to her attorney fees. Its not guaranteed either way. However if the two of you can come to agreements by yourselves it will mitigate the costs for both of you.
 

mistoffolees

Senior Member
We have been married for 4 1/2 years and she didn't get a job for that period of time. she doesn't have a job now. I earn about 61k a year.
A lot depends on the judge.

They will typically assume that she could be earning some income if she wished - even minimum wage. That reduces the disparity a bit.

But even with a large disparity, judges don't always award attorney's fees. I earned about 3-4 times what my ex did and she had to pay her own fees.
 

LdiJ

Senior Member
A lot depends on the judge.

They will typically assume that she could be earning some income if she wished - even minimum wage. That reduces the disparity a bit.

But even with a large disparity, judges don't always award attorney's fees. I earned about 3-4 times what my ex did and she had to pay her own fees.
Misto...I understand where you are coming from but you also had marital assets that were divided that your ex's attorney fees could come from. That is not necessarily the case here.
 

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