Alimony can be a difficult topic to bring up, but if you’ve been a stay-at-home parent, it’s one that you may need to talk about sooner rather than later.
When you have put your career aside for your spouse, it’s fair to ask that they compensate you as you get back into the workforce. That is part of the reason that some people seek alimony. Alimony can be a good way to get some additional income, so you’re able to focus on advancing your own career without the stress of financial worries.
Alimony isn’t likely to be permanent
One thing to know about alimony is that it’s not likely to be permanent. Usually, alimony is paid out only for a short time. Every case is different, and you and your spouse may agree on a length of time that you believe is fair. For example, if you were married 10 years, your spouse might agree to five years of alimony.
The amount of alimony you expect from a spouse will also vary. Of course, they need to be able to provide for themselves, so alimony can’t be unnecessarily harsh. However, many courts will order alimony that boosts your standard of living to meet or get close to what you were used to in the past. At the very least, the court would like to see the situation be fair.
Our site has more on alimony and what you can expect if you have been a stay-at-home parent or spouse during your marriage. Alimony could be the right solution to your financial stresses.