If you are a homemaker who is about to get a divorce, you are likely worried about how you will support yourself once the divorce is official. Can you get financial support from your soon-to-be-ex-spouse?
Spousal support is possible and courts do award it regardless of gender. If you have been a homemaker during your marriage, you can get a maintenance award. That income helps you become financially independent after your divorce.
Courts also award temporary financial support
You can also ask the court to award you temporary maintenance while the case is pending. The court determines the amount of that maintenance depending on your standard of living before your divorce. The court looks at how much property and income your spouse has, and whether that income is enough to reasonably support the both of you. Both spouses must be completely open with each other about their finances. You and your spouse must also come up with a statement of your respective net worths.
Factors that determine the amount of support
The court will consider other factors to determine how much to award you including, but not limited by, the following:
- The length of your marriage
- If your spouse abused you, and that now hinders your ability to work
- If you and your spouse are now living separately
- If you are caring for children or parents
- Your age and health as well as that of your spouse
- If you will need further training to support yourself
Spousal support is possible, but you will need to prove that you are unable to work and that you need support.
