Going through a divorce and knowing that you have a limited income or none at all can be frustrating and upsetting. On one hand, you want to be able to handle your own finances and take care of yourself. You don’t want to be reliant on your spouse or have that continued connection in the future.
On the other hand, your career went the way it did because of many factors. Your spouse being the breadwinner while you stayed home with your children or focused on taking care of your health meant that you didn’t need to work as much or at as high a level as your spouse. Your career took a backseat, so your spouse should help you as you get back on your feet.
Seeking spousal support may be an option for you
It’s sometimes reasonable to seek out spousal support. There are no specific guidelines that determine what someone should pay or receive, but the court will take into account a number of factors to make a decision on your case.
The court may consider aspects of your marriage and life after divorce such as:
- If someone stayed home to take care of children
- The earning potential of each party
- The total length of your marriage
- Your ability to find work
- The need for further education
…as well as others.
Is it unreasonable to ask for spousal support?
No, it isn’t unreasonable to ask for alimony if you have the need for it. You should go through your budget to determine the minimal amount you’d need to help support you as you get back to living on your own. Determine any variations in income that you’d expect and consider coming up with the absolute baseline support you’d need to be able to move on successfully.
In some cases, that amount may be too high for your spouse to pay, but it’s helpful for the court to see what kind of position you’re in. Adjusting the assets you receive could help offset situations where alimony won’t be enough, which is another consideration to keep in mind.