If you are homemaker going through a divorce, you may wonder how you will support yourself and your child(ren) both during the process and once your marriage is dissolved. Moving from the role of homemaker to working a job outside of the home may be a difficult transition. It might require additional education and/or training. It’s possible to request and receive financial help by filing for temporary alimony or spousal support payments.
What is Alimony?
Because all assets (and debts) accumulated during a marriage are considered community property, alimony, also called spousal support or maintenance, is a way to acknowledge that both spouses contributed to the family’s financial situation. Even in households where one spouse did not work, the courts recognize that the non-working partner enabled the other’s career success.
As a result, spousal support may be awarded to a lower income-earning party from the higher income earning party. A number of factors, such as the earning potential of each party and child care demands, are involved in calculating spousal support payments. Most spousal support payment schedules are based on the length of the marriage.
Seeking Spousal Support Payments
If you’ve been a stay-at-home parent in exchange for a career outside the home, you may be entitled to spousal support. However, it is imperative that you hire an attorney to ensure your best chances of receiving a fair settlement and maintenance.
Already facing hardship as you transition to financial independence, you may be hesitant to take on legal fees. But an experienced family law attorney can help you secure temporary spousal support payments you may be entitled to so that you can pay your monthly expenses during the divorce process. A skilled attorney may also pursue rehabilitative spousal support that allows you to get education or training you need to become self-sufficient as well cover legal expenses.
In addition to helping you pursue financial support because you’ve been a homemaker, an experienced attorney can also help find cost-effective options to complete your divorce. For instance, if you and your spouse have a cooperative working relationship, you may be able to determine a fair settlement (that may include maintenance) through collaborative divorce or mediation. Both options help you resolve conflicts and agree on a settlement without the expense of going to court.
Contacting an Experienced Divorce Lawyer
Dorene Kuffer is an expert divorce attorney. She can offer reliable counsel on seeking financial support during your divorce and discuss the various options available that best meet your needs. With over 30 years of experience, Dorene provides you with rare personal attention throughout this challenging time. Call (505) 257-0072 for a consultation today.