You and your spouse have been married for around 10 years. During that time, a lot has changed. You supported them as they improved their career and went back to school. You focused on building a family, and you raised your children at home with you as your partner went to their high-paying job. To do all this, you gave up your career and settled with the idea of supporting your spouse, because they had a better route to a higher income.
Today, knowing that you’re going to divorce is heartbreaking for more than one reason. You are worried about how your children are going to handle it, but you’re also worried about your own financial well-being. You stopped focusing on your career, which means you’re years behind others in your field. It will take time, effort and additional education to get to a point where you can get employed and start earning again.
Is It Appropriate to Seek Spousal Support?
In this situation, you may want to consider seeking spousal support. To start with, you’re a stay-at-home parent with no substantial income available. Even if you get a part-time job or a low-paying full-time job, you won’t make the kind of money you’re used to living on. You may want to ask your spouse to provide you with substantial temporary alimony for several years as you get your career put back together. How long you can receive alimony for and the amount you receive depends on many factors, but if you need it, don’t be afraid to ask.
Our website has more on spousal support. If you believe you need it, it’s time to start looking into your budget to see how much it would take to settle your divorce case.
