More Women Paying Alimony and Child Support to Former Husbands
A nationwide survey of divorce attorneys by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that more and more women are paying alimony and child support to former spouses.
June 28, 2012
More Women Paying Alimony and Child Support to Former HusbandsTraditional notions of divorce have the financially stable former husband paying court-ordered alimony and child support to his former wife. Recent trends are now turning this stereotype on its head, however.
A nationwide survey of divorce attorneys by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that more and more women are paying alimony and child support to former spouses. Over half of divorce attorneys polled reported more women paying child support, and nearly half saw more women paying alimony over the last three years.
Child support payments generally go to the parent with primary physical custody of the child to help with the costs of raising the child. Alimony, also known as spousal support, helps the former spouse enjoy the same standard of living enjoyed during the marriage. It also may be ordered to help a former spouse obtain the education or training necessary to obtain employment after spending time out of the workforce rendering services in support of the family.
Why Are More Women Paying?
The reason for the trend is clear: More women are reaching professional success, out-earning their spouses and assuming the role of breadwinner for their families. The number of women obtaining professional degrees in medicine, law, and other areas has skyrocketed since 1980. Meanwhile, more men are acting as stay-at-home dads. With a consistent half of marriages ending in divorce, an increasing number see higher-earning women paying alimony or child support to their former husbands.
The Court's Decision on Alimony and Child Support
In addition to a former couple's finances, many factors impact a court's decision regarding the division of property, alimony and child support in a divorce. Age, work status and education all play a role, regardless of gender. People considering divorce should consult with an experienced divorce attorney to discuss these issues and seek the best possible outcome in their divorce.
Article provided by Turteltaub & Turteltaub, P.A.
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