Being a stay-at-home parent is something that many people dream of. Some people are willing to sacrifice a career or an income so that they can stay at home with their child. While this is sometimes what happens, things might not always stay that way. Some parents who stay home to raise a child might find themselves on the road to divorce. Without a recent work history, they might wonder how they are going to make it.
One possibility is spousal support. This support would provide you with some income while you work on getting skills to enter the workforce or continue raising your child at home. Before you make plans that are based on the hope of alimony, make sure that you understand the basics of alimony.
The duration and amount of alimony varies greatly. Not all alimony awards are permanent. Some are only for a predetermined length of time. Others have certain conditions that must be present in order for the payments to continue. You should understand exactly what an agreement comprises if you are working on a divorce settlement through mediation.
If you are going to have primary custody of the children, there is a chance that you will receive child support. This is in addition to any alimony that you might receive. One important distinction to make here is that child support isn’t taxable, but spousal support is considered income and is taxable.
You should make sure that you fully understand all aspects of a divorce settlement, including child custody, property division and support orders. This lets you determine if the order is being complied with by you and your ex. If not, you might take enforcement actions.
Source: FindLaw, “Tips for Stay-at-Home Moms in Divorce,” Christopher Coble, Esq., accessed March 03, 2017
