As a man who is going through a divorce, you are in a unique position. You have been a stay-at-home parent for a few years, and while you have a degree and can get back into the workforce, you realize that you may not be as up-to-date on the latest information as you should be in your field.
Your priority is to get back on your feet as soon as you can, but you know that your finances are going to be tight after the divorce. You’ll have to survive on the assets you receive until you can find a job and advance that career.
Men Can Get Alimony, Too
It is important to remember that men can also receive spousal support (alimony). If your wife earns more money than you and you have contributed to your relationship by staying home watching your children, then there is no reason that you should not ask for some support while you try to reestablish your career. While you could stay home in the past, that clearly isn’t possible now, so having at least some income while you stabilize your financial situation could be the key to survival.
How Is Alimony Decided In New Jersey?
In New Jersey, alimony is determined by looking at factors such as how many children you have, how long you were married and your education level. Some other factors might include:
- Your financial needs following your divorce
- Your financial status
- Your spouse’s financial status
- How long you’ve been out of the workforce
- How much property you’ll receive in divorce
Of course, seeking alimony or spousal support can be complex. However, you and your spouse can decide how much is fair on your own if you wish, or you can use state guidelines to come up with a reasonable amount. If you cannot decide, then you will need to go to family court. There, an experience judge will listen to your arguments and statements as well as your spouse’s. Then, they will decide how much they believe is fair for alimony payments and how long they think they should last.
