Seeking Spousal Support for Stay-at-Home Moms
Going through a divorce as a stay-at-home mom can be stress-inducing. How will you afford to stay home and care for your kids without your partner’s income supporting the family?
Stay-at-home moms often qualify for spousal support or alimony in Bucks County divorce cases. But how much alimony can a stay-at-home mom receive, and how long does this benefit last? Here is what you need to know.
How Long Do Alimony Payments Continue for Stay-at-Home Parents?
In Pennsylvania, the court determines the amount and duration of alimony awarded to a stay-at-home parent on a case-by-case basis. A judge would consider the receiving spouse’s financial need and income potential, among many other factors.
However, alimony is often awarded for just three years, which can place financial hardship on stay-at-home parents and seem unfair. Working with an experienced divorce attorney can help you support your need for alimony and seek a fair payment duration.
How Stay-at-Home Parents Can Prove a Need for Spousal Support
How much alimony you can receive as a stay-at-home mom depends on your financial needs, among other factors. Your divorce attorney can help you support a need for sufficient alimony by presenting a loss of income potential.
Perhaps you left your career to stay home with the children. Or maybe you never started a career because you had kids at a young age. Your role as a stay-at-home parent can significantly affect your earning potential for some time. You may face challenges finding gainful employment, or you may be unable to work outside the home due to your role as your children’s caretaker.
Your attorney can help you quantify the value of the care you provide for your children and factor in your loss of income potential to determine a fair spousal support amount. Often, the goal of spousal support is to help the receiving partner maintain a similar standard of living while they pursue financial independence.
Other Options for Stay-at-Home Parents Facing Financial Dependency in a Divorce
While some marriages lead to a need for permanent spousal support in divorce, the court often prefers to award this benefit only for the amount of time necessary for the recipient to successfully reenter the workforce. Creating a plan for reentry can help you feel more confident facing the financial changes that arise during divorce.
You might consider:
- Taking online classes to work toward a degree
- Seeking career coaching
- Being open to different types of work that may allow for flexibility with childcare
- Sharing child custody with your spouse to give you the opportunity to work part-time
In the divorce, you might request that the judge award you more marital assets to help make up for your financial needs. Taking a lump sum in the divorce settlement may sometimes be a good idea to give you a financial cushion.
Seek Guidance and Support From a Divorce Attorney
At Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., we often represent stay-at-home parents during the divorce process. We can help you understand how much alimony you might receive and advocate for your rights and interests throughout your divorce case.
Contact us today at (866) 349-4117 for a confidential consultation.
