My husband and I live in California, been married for 4.5 years and we're getting divorced. My husband use to make about $85,000 a year but about a year ago he changed jobs and is now a financial planner and only made about $45,000 this past year. His job gives him a VERY low salary plus commission but he has the potential to make a lot of money and is gradually building up his business and makes more commission all the time. I make about $38,000 a year. I've interviewed a few lawyers and have heard a couple of contrasting things. (1) I've been told that the court will look at my husbands pay for the past 12-18 months...and that they'll also look at his "potential" to earn. (2) I've also been told that they look at only the past 12 months and don't consider "potential" and that's that. My husbands prior salary of $85k a year and his potential won't be considered....so basically I won't get any spousal support since our salaries were about equal last year. If I'm entitled to spousal support, I want it. What exactly does the law say regarding this? 12months? 18 months? Potential for earnings? Please help.

